Clarence "Cy" Richard Fyhrlund

2021-04-23T16:47:55-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Clarence "Cy" Richard Fyhrlund
  • Location of Birth: Hibbing, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: May 24, 1926
  • Date of Death: August 21, 2019 (93 years old)
  • Parents: Sture and Ellen Linnea Fyhrlund
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: MM 2 (Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer)
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: 1943
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: 1946
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    Action Ribbon
    Bronze Star - Asiatic-Pacific
    Bronze Star - Philippine Liberation

  • Military Highlights:
    Cy was a veteran of the United States Navy. He enlisted at the young age of 17 in 1943 and proudly served his country for three years, two of which were served in the South Pacific during World War II.

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Cy became a Charter Member of the Marinoff-Miskovich VFW Post in Pengilly, Minnesota.

    In 1947, Cy married Sylvia Dotlich in Bovey, Minnesota and moved to Rockford, Illinois. He worked in the floor covering business for several years before moving with his wife and their four children to Poy Sippi, Wisconsin, where he and his wife owned and operated "Cy's Hillside Bar and Cafe".

    Following his divorce in 1966, Cy moved to Wild Rose, Wisconsin and started a floor covering business.

    In 1972 he relocated to Bloomington, Minnesota and was the successful owner/broker of the "Down to Earth Real Estate Co.", with offices in Bloomington, Nisswa, and Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

    In 1986, Cy married Evelyn Lamb on a mountain top in Acapulco, Mexico and they resided on West Twin Lake and later in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

    In 2013, they moved to Crosby, Minnesota.

    After Evelyn passed away, Cy remained at Heartwood Senior Living in Crosby, Minnesota until June, 2019, when he move into his daughter Debbie's home in Madison, Wisconsin.

    Cy was a real people person and was always willing share stories of his past with everyone. He was a self-taught accordion player and entertained many family and friends over the years. He often stopped in at nursing homes with his accordion in hand to entertain residents. His dedication to and love for the VFW has always been his greatest accomplishment. He joined and became very active with the VFW in Jenkins, Minnesota, where he was instrumental in the construction of the Post and he was Post Commander for four years, from 1985-1989. He received All American Post Commander honors in 1987-1988 and again in 1988-1989. He served in several National and State VFW positions throughout the years, including 6th District Commander in 1993-1994. Cy was awarded All American District Commander honors in 1994. He also served as Minnesota VFW Chief of Staff, National Deputy Chief of Staff; National Aide-de-Camp three times in the 1980's; Special Aide-de-Camp to National Commanders Hogan and Spera in the 1990's, served with the National Finance and Internal Organization, National Security and Foreign Affairs committees, as well as a number of state committees.

    Cy was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the Northern VFW Post 3839, Bill Brown American Legion Post in Nisswa, Minnesota; DAV Chapter 22 in Brainerd, Minnesota and the Military Order of Cooties in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

    Cy will be remembered as 100 percent Swedish and proud of it. He was a caring friend to all, faithful, generous, steady and warm, with a great sense of humor.

    Clarence was predeceased by his parents, Sture Fyhrlund and Ellen Linnea Fyhrlund; his wife, Evelyn; his children, Vicky and James; his siblings Dorothy, Judy, George (Arch) and Eldor; and his daughter-in-law, Karin Fyhrlund and son-in-law Peter Nicholas.

    Clarence is survived by his children, Debra Beck and Richard Fyhrlund; his daughter-in-law Shirley Fyhrlund and his sister-in-law Jarolyn Fyhrlund. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

    Clarence passed away at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison, Wisconsin. He is buried in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Little Falls, Minnesota. (Section 11, Site 5)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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