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William Herman Pietsch
Fargo, ND
William Herman Pietsch, Elim Care Center, Fargo, formerly Casselton, ND, completed his journey here on earth on Thursday, July 15, 2004.
Bill was born March 5, 1935, in Casselton, ND, the son of Edwin and Marjorie (Collins) Pietsch. His projected date of arrival was not that day, and on the 4th Marge and Ed had taken the day to visit relatives in Casselton. It was a practice of Ed’s parents to rent an apartment in Casselton during the school year, and his mother was residing there while his sister Gladys attended the high school. Before the visit was over, Marjorie felt ill and the local physician, Dr. H. W. Miller was called. The following day, Bill began his sixty-nine plus years journey. Following Dr. Miller’s advice, Bill was named for his two grandfathers, William (maternal) and Herman (paternal) and Edwin quickly sought out the local Lutheran pastor, Reverend Graepp. Reverend Mertz, Leonard St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and the family pastor, was visiting his colleague in Casselton that day, and promptly responded to the request to baptize Ed’s young son. With Dr. Miller’s instructions always before them, the d
He was the eldest of four children and was raised on farms in Walburg and Everest Townships. He attended Public School District # 55 (Walburg, near Chaffee, ND), Public School District #90 (Everest, ND) and Lincoln High School (Casselton, ND), graduating in 1953.
On September 12, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart LaVonne (Vonnie) Idso at Martin’s Lutheran Church in Casselton. The union was blessed with four children, three girls and one boy. They began their married life as farm operators in Walburg Township, 1954-1960. From 1960-1964 Bill enjoyed the profession of bowling lanes manager and proprietor in Casselton and Hankinson, ND.
Bill attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1953-54. He returned to college in the fall of 1964 and received a Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Economics, from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, in 1967. In 1968 he was awarded a Master of Science, Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University, and in 1971 a Doctor of Philosophy, Agricultural Economics, from Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
In 1971 Bill moved his family to Denver, CO, where he was employed by the United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. In 1974 they returned to Pullman, WA where Bill worked as an Extension Agent with the Washington State University. In 1979 Bill and Vonnie returned to North Dakota. He served as Assistant, Associate and then Director of the NDSU Extension Service until spring of 1993. From 1993-1999 Bill served as the Executive Vice President of the North Dakota Farm Bureau. Following retirement in 1999, he worked as a business consultant. At the time of his first stroke he was serving as interim executive director of Fargo Cass-County Economic Development.
During his retirement years, Bill enjoyed community involvement; serving on the Casselton City Council, the North Dakota State Soil Conservation Committee, the North Dakota 4-H Foundation, the Casselton Community Fund Board, the Casselton Jobs Development Authority, the Fargo Cass County Economic Development Corporation, and the American Heart Association - Fargo Heartwalk. He was eager to lend a helping hand, share his knowledge on any subject, and give advise, the latter only when asked.
In 2000 he was elected to serve in the North Dakota House of Representatives, one of two representatives in District 22, covering rural Cass County. He served on the Industry, Business and Labor Committee and the Agriculture Committee during the 2001 Legislative Session. He suffered a stroke on February 23, 2002, and another in late December of 2002. He resigned his legislative position on December 31, 2002 when he knew his limitations and would not be able to physically keep up the pace necessary to be an effective legislator.
Bill entered the Arthur Good Samaritan Center in April 2002, and resided there until May 12, 2004 when he entered Elim Care Center, Fargo,ND.
Bill is survived by his wife, Vonnie, Casselton; three daughters, Rebecca (Rodney) Hauth, Irving, Texas; Elizabeth (John) Hobbs, Pullman, WA; and Colleen (Robert) Buchanan, Auburn, WA; one son, Joel (Kim), Tampa, FL; seven grandsons, Michael (Crissy) and John Wesley Hobbs, Bobby, Chad and Kyle Buchanan, Galen Hauth and Maxwell Pietsch; three granddaughters, Rani Hauth, Amy Hobbs, and Emily Pietsch; his mother, Marjorie of Casselton, brothers Don (Elvon), Paynesville, MN; Larry (Betty), Leonard, ND and sister Joan (Keith) Schatzke, Wheatland, ND; his sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Louie) Schmit, Coeur d’Alene, ID and Janet ldso, Fargo,ND; brothers-in-law, Charles Idso, Fargo; Clyde Idso, Arthur; Dale (Gloria) Idso, Casselton; and Roger (Dona) Idso, Pelican Rapids, MN; and their respective families. He leaves many relatives; two very special cousins, Alice (Manny) Lux, Casselton and Leland (Marlene) Pietsch, Casselton.
Many people touched Bill’s life, and he was grateful for the friendships and opportunities given him. He enjoyed “walking through his early year stories” with the grandchildren and others -- telling of his special teachers, friends and learning experiences he participated in along the way. He truly enjoyed life and the people he met along the way.
He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Herman and Emma Pietsch and William and Elizabeth Collins; and beloved father, Edwin, and brothers-in-law, Duane and Kinney Idso.
Funeral services were Monday, July 19 at Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton, ND with Rev. Dr. Paula Mehmel officiating. Music was provided by soloists David Piper and Craig Olson and organist was VaLois McConnell. Interment at Watson Cemetery, Leonard, ND. Pallbearers were Mark Weber, Pet Silbernagel, Gary Nelson, Ron A. Anderson, Don Peterson, Wes Belter, Myron Johnsrud and H. Roald Lund.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to the North Dakota 4-H Foundation (NDSU-Box 5436, Fargo, ND 58105), the American Heart Association (Midwest Affiliate, 1005 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58042-1287), the Casselton Volunteer Ambulance Service (101 6 Ave S, Casselton, ND 58012), or the charity of individual choice.
Joan J. Bunn
Fargo, ND
Joan J. Bunn, 72, Fargo, ND died on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.
Joan Jean Elliott was born on February 13, 1932 in Fargo, ND to George and Mary (Greuel) Elliott. She grew up in Leonard, ND and graduated from Leonard High School. She attended Aakers Business College in Fargo. Joan married Donald Bunn on September 23, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enderlin, ND. They made their home in Leonard. She attended Moorhead Technical College in Moorhead, MN and graduated in 1991. She moved to Fargo in January of 1992 and made her home in the Trollwood Apartments.
She enjoyed playing cards and working puzzles as well as crocheting. She was involved in the local Homemakers Club.
Joan is survived by two sons, Thomas of British Columbia and Steven of Leonard; a daughter, Teresa (Scott) Slettebak of Petersburg, ND; seven grandchildren, Michelle, Bonita, Paul, Mary Ann, Jason, Kristen and Adam; a great granddaughter, Michaela; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Murrell; grandchildren, Natalie Bunn and Shawn Slettebak.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 13, 2004 from 5 to 8 pm at the West Funeral Home in Casselton, and one hour before the service in the church.
Funeral Services will be Thursday at 10:30 am at Hope Lutheran Church – North Campus in Fargo with Rev. Chuck Olmstead officiating. Organist will be Donna Atherton. Pallbearers will be Donald Waldera, Ray Bartholomay, George Bunn, Jim Zimmerman, Paul Bunn and Adam Slettebak. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Joan’s Grandchildren.
Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.
Cordula F. Thielges
LaMoure, ND
The funeral for Cordula F. Thielges, of LaMoure, ND, was held on Saturday, October 2, 2004, at Holy Rosary Parish Hall in LaMoure, ND. Celebrant for the service was Father Robert Smith. Burial was at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, LaMoure.
Cordula Francis Kemper, daughter of Anton and Helen (Benolken) Kemper was born on October 22, 1920 at Beulah, North Dakota, where she attended school. In 1938, Cordula graduated from Wilton High School, and then attended Beauty College in Bismarck, North Dakota. After her schooling, Cordula went to work in Mott, North Dakota as a beautician. There she met her husband Paul Thielges whom she married in 1942 at Wilton, North Dakota. From 1944 to 1981, Cordula and Paul raised ten children while making their home in Red Wood Falls, Minnesota and LaMoure, North Dakota. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Paul from the time of his retirement in 1978, until he died in 2000. After Paul’s death, Cordula continued to travel extensively. She was active in Cub Scouts, helping others and in her church circle. Cordula enjoyed knitting, crocheting, listening to music and playing cards. She also loved to eat oysters.
Cordula passed away on Monday, September 27, 2004, at the Oakes Community Hospital. She was 83 years old.
She is survived by seven sons, Jerome (Gemma) Thielges, Bellevue, WA, Ray (Linda) Thielges, LaMoure, ND, Martin (Jean) Thielges, Bismarck, ND, Mark (Bernice) Thielges, Ellendale, ND, Doran (Jana) Thielges, Moorhead, MN, Brian (Mary) Thielges, Adair, IA, and Leon (Debbie) Thielges, Enderlin, ND; three daughters, Colleen (Irv) McFadden, Pocatello, ID, Janel (Ralph) Blount, Boise, ID, and Ellen (Bryan) Schulz, Bismarck, ND; one sister, Celestine (Gordon) Babbitt, Groves, TX; two brothers-in-law Jim (Patty) Thielges and Rich (Jeannie) Thielges, and a sister-in-law Lorraine (Bob) Kauphsman; 28 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents Anton and Helen, and a brother Edward Kemper.
Pallbearers for the funeral were Toby Thielges, Brett Thielges, Emily Thielges, Nikki Thielges, Travis Thielges, Jason Thielges, Brent Thielges and Trent Thielges. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Thielges, Julie Thielges, Karla Thielges, Krista Thielges, Heidi Thielges, Marcie Thielges, Megan Thielges, Sara Thielges, Jacob Thielges, Corey Felton, Dayna Schulz and Jadon Schulz. Heidi Thielges and Gwen Thielges were soloists and Norm and Sue Goehring provided special music for the service.
Katherine Margaret Finger
Wishek, ND
The funeral for Katherine M. Finger, Wishek, ND, formerly of Enderlin, ND, were held Sunday, November 28, 2004 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wishek, ND, with Pastor Brandon Woodruff and Pastor Allen Finger officiating. Burial was at Pontiac Lutheran Cemetery rural Enderlin, ND.
Katherine Margaret Finger, age 93 of Wishek, ND, died Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at the Wishek Home for the Aged, in Wishek ND. Katherine was born August 14, 1911 in Echiem Russia to Jacob Sr. and Barbara (Witman) Rotenberger. At six months of age, Katherine came to the U.S. with her parents and settled on a farm near Enderlin, ND, where she attended school in rural Ransom County. Katherine married Karl K. Finger, October 5, 1933 at the Anselm Lutheran Church rural Enderlin, ND. The couple farmed south of Enderlin for several years and later purchased a farm north of Enderlin and farmed until May of 1961 when they moved to Jamestown, ND, where her husband did finish carpentry. Karl died January 28, 1983. Katherine moved to Wishek, ND, March of 1999, and later entered the Wishek Home for the Aged in 2001. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, and gardening.
Survivors include, one daughter, Arla and Donald Babitzke of Wishek, ND, and two sons, Howard and Elaine Finger, Fullerton, CA, and Duane and Beverly Finger, Livermore, CO. Five brothers, Alex Rotenberger, Victor Rotenberger, Fredrick and Mavis Rotenberger, all of Lisbon, ND, Ted and Lois of Henning, MN, and Ed and Mary Rotenberger of Detroit Lakes, MN. Four sisters, Frieda Hanson of Auburn WA, Sarah Sutton of Waterloo IA, Ilene Schlader of Oakes ND, and Beverley and Wayne Jorgenson of Valley City ND. Two sister-in-laws, Lydia Rotenberger of Gwinner ND and Jo Rotenberger of Lisbon ND. 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Karl, one infant son LeRoy, her parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 2 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter.
Roland F. Menge
Roland “Rollie” Menge was born November 22, 1935 in rural Sheldon, ND to Fredrick J. Menge and Adina H. Zillman. He died on August 17th at Maryhill Manor in Enderlin.
Rollie graduated from Sheldon High School. He served in the US Navy from 1952 - 1955.
After the service, Rollie farmed near Enderlin for 27 years, worked for ADM in Enderlin for 15 years and Maple Valley Locker in Enderlin for several years. He then worked at Indian Hills for 10 years.
Rollie married Denice Butke on June 15, 1957 in Enderlin. They had three children, Rick (Nadia) Menge of Enderlin, Allen Menge of Lisbon and Carey (Larry) Muth of Enderlin. He had 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marlys and a brother Kenneth.
He is survived by his wife Denice, children Rick (Nadia) Menge, Allen Menge and Carey (Larry) Muth; 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enderlin at 2 PM with Rev. Terry Monson officiating. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 on Wednesday, August 21st.at Armstrong Funeral Home in Enderlin. Burial will be at Pontiac Cemetery in rural Enderlin.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Armstrong Funeral Home of Lisbon/Enderlin.
Larry R. Miller
Fargo, ND
Larry R. Miller, 52, Fargo, ND, died Monday, November 22, 2004 in Innovis Hospital, Fargo.
Mr. Miller was born on October 23, 1952 in Jamestown, ND. Larry grew up in Jamestown and Enderlin, where he attended schools and graduated from Enderlin High School.
Larry married Ginger Arndt on December 9, 1972 in Enderlin. They moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area and he began working for Fairmont Creamery of Moorhead for the next ten years. Larry then began working for the Fireway Co. of Moorhead for the next several years. He then worked with Nardini Fire Equipment of Fargo, where he was employed at the time of his death.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Inez.
He is survived by his wife, Ginger, Fargo; one son, Jamison John (Nicole), Fargo; one daughter, Jenna Miller, Fargo; four grandchildren, Zachery, Noah, Joshua and Amara; one brother, Dale (Connie), Kindred, ND; two sisters, Ronda (Duane) Skramstad, Enderlin, Nancy Ganyo, Kingman, AZ; several nieces and nephews; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Billye Myhre, Mandan, ND.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 27, 2004 at Hope Lutheran Church South Campus, Fargo. Officiants included Reverend Paul Nynas and youth minister, Jeremy Johnson. Pallbearers were Dave Boeckel, Dave Thene, Al Bosman, Dan Mackner, Drew Miller, Dustin Miller, John Skramstad and Steve Bachand. Honorary pallbearers were Larry’s grandchildren, Zachery, Noah, Joshua and Amara.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.
Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson of Enderlin, passed away at Sanford in Fargo at the age of 79 on August 29th, 2014.
Jim was born in Coleharbor, ND to Chester Nelson and Julianna Wohl on Sept. 1st, 1934.
Jim attended school in Cathay, Eden and Webster, SD before graduating from Roslyn SD. Jim served in the US Army from 1958 - 1960.
Jim married Ruby Pattis on September 12, 1962 in Drake, ND. Together they had one daughter Pam (Mark) Doerr of Prior Lake, MN.
Jim and his family lived in Enderlin for many years and he worked for the Soo Line Railroad for 43 years.
Jim is survived by his wife Ruby, Enderlin, daughter Pam (Mark) Doerr, Prior Lake, and two grandchildren, Candance and Jessica.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lorraine, Raymond and LaVonne.
Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, September 3rd at 2PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Enderlin with Rev. Grant Patterson officiating. Burial will be at Norfolk Cemetery in Drake, ND.
Organist for the service will be Joan Schlecht who will be accompanied by soloist, Bobby Geske. Armstrong Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Esther Marie (Pett) Brady
Puyallup, WA
Esther Marie (Pett) Brady was born September 23, 1913 to Richard and Mathilda Pett in Enderlin, North Dakota. Esther was baptized and confirmed at the Pontiac German Lutheran Church. She attended Enderlin High School where she was active in drama, sports and a charter member of the Enderlin Acappella Choir, the first such choir in North Dakota.
In 1933 she was accepted in the Minnesota Nurses training program at the State Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In 1936 she transferred to Gillette Hospital in St Paul for pediatric training which later became her specialty when she was employed at Anchor Hospital also in St. Paul.
Esther met Sherwood Brady in 1936. Romance ensued and they were married in 1939.
Just weeks after Sherwood left for the war, Esther welcomed their son Kent. After WWII Kent was joined by Sheri and five years after that the family was complete when Susan was born.
In 1956 the travel adventures began and the farm girl from North Dakota was off to see the world. Over the next 20 years Esther and the family would move to Seattle, Marysville, CA, Las Vegas, Japan, Great Falls, MT and Renton, WA. Their final assignment was in England.
In every location the Brady¹s became active in the local Lutheran Church where they met lifelong friends. Sherwood retired in 1977 and they returned home to Renton. In 2001, due to her failing health, Esther and Sherwood moved to Puyallup, WA to the home of their daughter Sheri.
On January 24, 2005, while holding her minister¹s hand and hearing a prayer, Esther peacefully slipped away.
Esther is survived by Sherwood, her loving husband of 65 years; son Kent (Paula) Brady of Everett, daughters Sheri (Richard Puckett) of Puyallup and Susan (Ross Davis) of Seattle; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and friends across the United States, England and Japan.
Lillian Gurine Cullen
Fargo, formerly Sheldon, ND
Funeral services for Lillian Gurine Cullen, age 95, were held on February 15, 2005 at the Mavis Whiting Chapel, Bethany Homes, Fargo, ND. She died on February 12, 2005 at the Palliative Care Unit of MeritCare Hospital in Fargo. Burial was at the Sheldon Cemetery.
Lillian was born on December 14, 1909 in Lawler, Chickasaw County, IA to Lawrence and Anna Marie (Landsverk) Nordgaard. At a young age she moved with her family to Scandia Township, Barnes County, south of Valley City, ND. She attended rural schools and graduated from Valley City High School in 1928. She attended Valley City Teacher¹s College and taught rural schools in Barnes County and in Shenford Township, Ransom County, south of Sheldon, ND.
On June 28, 1932 she married Kenneth Cullen of Sheldon in the Ringsaker Church just across the road from where she had grown up. In their early married life, they lived in Sheldon, rural Barnes County and DeKalb, IL. In the fall of 1941 they returned to Sheldon where they rented and subsequently bought the farm 2 miles south of Sheldon where Kenneth had grown up. They continued to live on the farm until the spring of 1994 when they moved to Fargo. They spent more than 20 years in Tucson, AZ in the winter, returning to Sheldon in the spring. Kenneth died in February of 1995. Three years ago Lillian moved to Assisted Living in Towers II of Bethany Homes in Fargo.
Lillian is survived by her three daughters, Lois Rotenberger (Ted), Henning, MN and Sun City, AZ; Carolyn Thue (Donard), Fargo, ND; and Kathleen Nesvig, Fargo, ND; 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, and a brother, Julian Nordgaard, Farmersville, TX. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one brother, Maurice Nordgaard.
