"On the 4th of May, I was off to Italy," said Misgen. "We had the authority to go anywhere. I witnessed people frozen in the basement exploring the Grand Monte Casino, where I also went to the top, 675 feet in three days. Before that, I went to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and climbed another 200 feet to get to the top. Italy brought sadness, but it also was a lot of fun."

With the invasion of France, Misgen was sent to a small island where he was stationed for about a month, before sailing out on the 15th of May, arriving stateside on May 25th. His orders sent him to the beautiful mountains that surrounded Seattle, until he was sent to Japan, where he survived Pearl Harbor. He received his honorable discharge May 16, 1945. Misgen is a World War II Veteran who served with pride.

"I learned a lot, and that give and take is quite important," Misgen said.

 Upon returning to Ellendale, Misgen worked with his brother on the farm hauling livestock. He then went on to work for Hormel until 1962, buying and hauling cattle.

"There wasn't any super highways back then, and not too may cops either," Misgen chuckled.

Misgen is loved and cherished by many. He is a father of five children: Dawn, Minneapolis; Susan, New  Richland; Shari, Chicago; Mike, reunited with his wife in God’s Arms; and Jim in Ellendale. He is a grandpa and great grandpa too.

Along his many travels, Misgen noticed how Steele County needed cleaning of junk cars, and founded Misgen Auto Salvage.

"It’s still there," Misgen said. "Jim runs the place, and his five kids. One daughter and four sons all work there."

During his career, Misgen has also hauled machinery nationwide and to Canada. He loves old-time music, especially Lawrence Welk.

"He's number one," said Misgen.

"Misgen has a huge impact on the community," said Cindy Bartness.

Like Lawrence Welk, Misgen, a spry gentleman of 91 and a half years of age, is number one to the community of Ellendale. 

"It was an honor," Misgen said.