Gladstone, MI
Harold “Pug” Lund, 94, of 9019 Stagecoach Q.5 Avenue, Gladstone, MI, passed away Thursday morning May 11, 2017 at the Lakeview Assisted Living Center in Gladstone where he had been residing for the past 3 months.
Harold was born February 27, 1923 at the family home in Kipling, the son of John and Anna (Michelson) Lund. He was raised in Kipling where he attended the Kipling Grade School. As a member of Gladstone High School’s graduating Class of 1941, he became the school’s first student athlete selected for the All-U.P. Football team in 1940.
Following graduation, he worked as a laborer until 1944 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry as a rifleman. He was assigned to Company H, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division under General Patton. After five months of basic training at Camp Croft, N.C., he boarded the RMS Queen Elizabeth and was ferried to Glasgow, Scotland. After deploying in France, he and his unit moved through Belgium and Luxemburg. While his unit was preparing for an attack on the Siegfried Line, the German military unexpectedly attacked the Ardennes Forest. His unit was pulled off the assignment and was redeployed for a counter attack against the German Army. This battle, later known as the Battle of the Bulge, was the bloodiest battle the United States participated in during World War 2.
After spending weeks in a foxhole, he succumbed to frostbite on the 11th of January, 1945. Ultimately, both his legs were amputated below the knee, leaving him with prosthetics. He spent the next 14 months in various military hospitals stateside. Upon his honorable discharge as a Corporal, he was awarded the following medals: the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and two Bronze Campaign Stars. He returned to Gladstone in March of 1946.
Pug was united in marriage to the former Dorothy (Dot) E. Reinholdson. They made their home in Kipling, eventually settling in Gladstone. In 1993, he and Dot returned to Europe to visit the same battlefield where he spent several weeks during the Battle of the Bulge.
Pug was a lifetime member of the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 and the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.). He served as the Brampton Township Clerk for many years and was a Board Member on the Gladstone Community Federal Credit Union. Pug was also instrumental in forming and coordinating the Gladstone Men’s Pool League. An active card player, he was a member of the Cribbage Congress. He played cards three nights a week until January of this year. His card buddies will miss him deeply.
Pug was a talented woodworker and enjoyed spending time in his woodshop where he made birdhouses, tables, and toy boxes. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted, fished, picked countless blueberries, and enjoyed leisurely car rides through nature on Highway 13. He loved to read “the papers”, especially the Detroit Free Press and The Daily Press. He worked crossword puzzles for many years up until his death. He will be sadly missed.
Survivors include:
Sons:
David J. (Sue) Gagnon of Gladstone
Barry L. (Amy) Lund of Gladstone
Perry R. (Tanya) Lund of Gladstone
Daughters:
Vickie R. (Scott) Danner of Gladstone
Torey S. (Jim Krokstrom) Gagnon of Gladstone
Sister:
Dorothy (Leonard) Ziesmer of Kenosha, WI
10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He also leaves behind numerous granddogs.
Pug was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy as well as his parents and 12 siblings.
Pug’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Lakeview Assisted Living for the exceptional care provided to him during his final months.
Private graveside services will be held at the Lakewood Cemetery in Stonington where he will be laid to rest with his wife Dorothy. Memorial contributions in memory of Pug may be directed to the Gladstone American Legion Post #71. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Lund family
Betsy Gasperich - Richton Park, IL
I did not know Mr. Lund personally however, I would like to salute, honor and thank him for his service to his country!
It’s a privilege just knowing about you, your service and life here in the U.P.
My heartfelt condolences to all who are feeling this loss!
Gary Ballweg - Gladstone, MI
What a great man he was.
Geri DeGraves - RAPID RIVER, MI
Perry, Tonya and family. So sorry to hear of “Pug” as I knew him. He lived a good long life, he was a very nice man! He always came into the store on Wisconsin with a smile. I’m sure your years of memories of him will forever keep him close to your heart. Best of my sympathy.