Milo Espe, 77

Roseau – On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Milo Omer Espe passed away peacefully at the Warroad Senior Living Center at the age of 77 due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many.
Milo was born on March 24, 1946, in Roseau, to Omer and Myrtle (Dahl) Espe. He grew up with his siblings on the family farm in Malung. He attended grade school in Wannaska and graduated from Roseau High School in 1965.
On September 3, 1965, he married Judy Severson in Salem, Oregon. Together, they created a warm and loving home in Warroad, where they raised their five children. Milo had an open-door policy, welcoming many into their home, including the children they babysat, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, and the many children they fostered. Milo cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He often played games, read books, or visited with them.
Milo’s hobbies included woodworking, hunting, golfing, spending time at the cabin in Beltrami Forest, and fishing. He was a fishing guide in the summer and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with those he took fishing. Milo and Judy liked to travel and take the family on camping trips, where Milo shared his wilderness skills of building campfires, whittling whistles, and campfire cooking.
Milo worked at Wheeler Lumber, Security State Bank of Warroad, and Milo’s Hartz grocery store, and he retired from Polaris Industries. Milo was a people person, and managing the grocery store allowed him to connect with the entire community. Many high schoolers started their careers working for Milo.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy (Severson); father, Omer Espe; mother, Myrtle (Dahl); father-in-law, Clifford Severson; mother-in-law, Fern (Palm); and many extended family members.
Milo is survived by daughters, Tami Espe, Anchorage, AK; Teresa (Ward) Ortmann, Walnut Creek, CA; Tara (Ryan) Olson, Ashland, WI; Trina (Yesse) Ngomuo, Little Falls; and son, Peter (Daryl Ann) Espe, Roseau; 14 grandchildren, Hanna, Mallory, Kirsten, Breck, Ryan, Kia, Mariah, Logan, Jonah, Hailey, Gabe, Isaiah, Lucas, and Sophia; and nine great-grandchildren, Forest, Fern, Finley, Frankie, Fiona River, Damien, Sophie, A.J., and Nolan.
Milo is also survived by siblings, Glenn (Marge) Espe, Marvin (Myrna) Espe, Duane (Linda) Espe, Evadelle Tangquist, Edgar (Charlotte) Espe, and Sheldon (Valerie) Espe; as well as a large extended family.
A Funeral Service for Milo O. Espe will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Interment will take place at Palmville Cemetery in Wannaska.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff and management of Warroad Senior Living Center and Hospice nurses for their kind and loving care, and to Helgeson Funeral Home for their compassionate assistance during this difficult time.
Instead of flowers, memorials can be sent to:
Lewy Body Dementia Association: LBDA, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Ste. 205, Lilburn, GA 30047, Ph: 800.539.9767; Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota:
LSS, 2485 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108, Ph: 651-642-5990; Bluewater Bible Camp: Bluewater Bible Camp, 38400 Bluewater Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, Ph: 218.326.6058.
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