February's Veteran Of The Month: Earl Lovell

Earl Lovell was born on his Grandpa Lovell's farm in Sioux County, ND. He attended high school in Lemmon, SD and enjoyed working for JCPenney after school and on weekends. He graduated in 1954.

Earl joined the Army in January 1955 and was stationed at various military bases across the United States. The summer of 1958, Earl was stationed at Ft. McCoy, WI. During that time he met the woman who would become his wife of 54 years, but had just received orders to serve in Korea. In August of 1959, he returned from Korea and married Patty Merrell. They transferred to Ft. Ord, CA.; Ft. Wainwright, AL; and in September of 1963, Earl took his discharge in Ft. Lewis, WA. Earl also served 22 years with the Army Reserve from October 1973 until he retired in March 1996.

La Crosse, WI became Earl and Patty's home, where they raised their family and where Earl worked from 1965 – 1996 as a machinist at Trane Company. The great blessings come with two daughters, six grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Earl and his wife enjoyed many years together dancing, traveling and camping in their RV as often as possible.