Gregory J. Noland

Gregory Noland, age 75, of Glenwood, died Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at home surrounded by his family after a valiant fight with prostate cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 22nd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood. Visitation will be Sunday, August 21st from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on October 29, 1946, Greg and his brother, Dennis, were raised by their parents F. Virgil and Mary (Bowen) Noland in Hayward, Minnesota. Greg was active in the local Boy Scout troop and later served as a camp counselor. Greg especially enjoyed canoe trips to Bootleg Lake in the Boundary Waters and time spent at his grandfather’s cabin on Lake Vermillion. That love of canoeing continued and was passed along to his sons as they enjoyed Boundary Water trips together over the years.

While growing up, Greg spent many hours planting and harvesting potatoes. His father and uncle were in partnership raising potatoes, onions, and cabbage, and it was then that Greg developed his love of farming.

After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1964, Greg took classes at Austin State Junior College. In 1966, he joined the United States Army where he received training as a heavy equipment mechanic. During his enlistment he was stationed in South Korea and West Germany. In 1968, he was honorably discharged, having earned the rank of Spec 5.

Upon his return from the military, Greg re-enrolled at Austin State Junior College where, in 1970, he graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. It was during a college Marriage and Family class that he met Darlene Denisen, of Austin, with whom he was partnered on a class project. His ability to talk earned them an ‘A’ on their project and landed Greg his future wife. The two were married on June 20, 1970 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin.

Greg and Darlene lived in St. Paul, while he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota. During that time, he also worked for a potato farmer in Osseo, operating the potato harvester and moving irrigation guns.

In 1973, they moved to Mitchell, SD where Greg was a district sales manager overseeing the southern half of South Dakota and all of Nebraska for Jacques Seed Co. In 1976, they moved to the Glenwood farm site, where they have resided for 46 years. He quickly learned what the term “Sedan desert” meant and irrigation systems (traveling guns and center pivots) were researched and purchased over the years.

Greg was blessed with the “gift of gab”, which he frequently displayed during time spent sipping coffee at the Gingerbread Café in Glenwood. He had a way of making a lasting impression on those he visited with and had a special way of making those around him feel important. Sadly, in September of 2019, Greg was diagnosed with an aggressive form of advanced prostate cancer.  He courageously battled the disease with the support from his wife, family, and friends and consistently encouraged others to monitor their health by talking to their doctors about cancer prevention.

Greg was quick to smile and offer a handshake. His interest in people and the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone allowed him to enjoy and succeed as a salesperson for Welte Enterprises, St. Cloud Irrigation, and Ingleside Engineering. He and Darlene spent several years selling and erecting Chief grain bins on their farm site, which was also his base for selling seed corn to area farmers. He was a dealer for Pioneer, Golden Harvest, Dekalb, and for the last 25 years, Renk Seed. Greg was involved with the Corn and Soybean Growers and Bonanza Valley Irrigation Association.

Greg enjoyed farming and raising corn, soybeans, sweet corn, potatoes, alfalfa, and Holstein steers, or as Greg liked to call them, “Minnesota exotics!” The kids and their friends enjoyed riding with him in the semi-truck to local and metropolitan area elevators. Later in his farming career, Greg and his son, Scott, drove semi-truck for the sugar beet harvest.

An avid hunter, Greg made trips over the years to Wyoming where he hunted deer and antelope. However, his favorite hunting took place annually at the farm, where he hosted “Deer Camp” for family and friends. This annual tradition was a chance to bring people he cared about together   to not only hunt, but also share tall tales and delicious plates of food.

After his retirement, Greg and Darlene were blessed to be able to spend Minnesota winters in sunny Gold Canyon, Arizona where he formed many new friendships and rekindled former friendships as well.

Greg was also actively involved in his church and community. He served as a Eucharistic minister, usher, and taught CCD at Sacred Heart in Glenwood, and worked with parents and volunteers for the Annual Scout Fishing Derby on Lake Minnewaska for several years.

A farmer by trade, his unfailing kindness, joy, and generosity towards others is the legacy he leaves behind for his family, friends, and countless others that knew him. He loved his family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandkids, Clifford and Brighton, either at events or having coffee and talking. He was always asking “Have we heard from the kids today?”

As the late Paul Harvey said, “And on the eighth day God looked down on his planned paradise and said I need a caretaker, so God made a Farmer” and that is how Gregory “Greg” John Noland will be remembered.

Greg is survived by his wife of 52 years, Darlene; their three children, Brent of Rochester, Shelly (Vance) Walker of Knoxville, TN, and Scott (Sara) of Center City; two grandchildren, Clifford and Brighton Walker; his brother, Dennis; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Greg’s memory to Glacial Ridge Hospice, 219 1st Street SE, Glenwood, MN 56334.

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