Former Brainerd city council member, Frank Asplund, dies
A former Brainerd City Council member described by many as a true gentleman died Monday at his Brainerd home.
Frank Asplund, 76, spent 14 years on the council, serving as the Ward 3 representative from 1989 until 1998 and then as an at-large council member from 1999-2002. Asplund ran again unsuccessfully for the at-large council seat in 2002 against council member Mary Koep.
Frank Asplund
Koep said when she decided to run against Asplund she spoke to him about it first.
"I think he was one of the nicest people I know," Koep said of Asplund. "I thought very highly of Frank. We never said a mean word about each other (during that election) and I don't think there were any hard feelings. I had a great deal of affection and regard for Frank. We will miss him sorely."
"He was a true gentleman and a good friend," said board member Lucy Nesheim. "We respected his input and decisions. He always had a good joke and a good sense of humor. He'd share good jokes all the time."
"He was one of the finest gentlemen I had the privilege of serving with on the council," said Brainerd Mayor James Wallin. "He had a heart as big as gold. He was really just a nice guy and had a lot of common sense, compared to some people. He was just a very caring person. He will be missed."
Kay Asplund, Asplund's wife of 50 years, died in 2004. They are survived by a daughter, three sons and several grandchildren.
Asplund was appointed in February of 2006 to the Public Utilities Commission and was still actively serving on the commission at the time of his death.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church Thursday.
Arrangements are with the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.