Donald Viger

Donald R. Viger, age 77, lifelong resident of the Edmore, ND area, passed away Friday, September 12, 2014 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND following a heart attack.

Donald Ray Viger was born November 24, 1936 in Devils Lake, ND, the son of Lloyd M. and Esther A. (Holm) Viger. He grew up near Edmore in Newland Township and attended consolidated school there. He then graduated as co-valedictorian from Edmore High School in 1954. Following graduation, he started farming the family farm in Newland Township and continued until his retirement in 2006. Donald and Joan Novacek were married June 21, 1958 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Nekoma, ND. They made their home in Edmore all their married life except for 1959-61 when they lived on a farm in Newland Township. In March of 1990, Donald began his long career as a claims adjustor for Rain and Hail LLC. He was a commendable community leader: he served as Mayor of Edmore from 1982-86, then began a 28 year stint as Edmore City Auditor. He served on the Concordia Lutheran Church Board, was president and director of Farmer's Shipping and Supply in Edmore, and served many years on the Langdon Rural Water Users Board. He was one of the original founders of the Edmore Community Club established in 1966, and a vital member of the Edmore Summer Recreation group that built the Edmore baseball park in 1973. Donald was an avid Dodgers fan since the age of 6. Besides his beloved family, there was nothing he enjoyed more than sports. It was not unusual for him to watch three different sports at the same time on TV and the computer. He officiated for Class B basketball for 16 years, retiring when his sons started playing the game.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Joan; two sons, Randall D. Viger of Edmore and Brent J. (Jann) Viger and two grandchildren, Kelsey Viger and Blake Viger, all of Savage, MN; a sister, Judith (Anthony) McFarland of Tucson, AZ; two nieces; two aunts; and several cousins.

Preceding him in death were his father Lloyd on August 29, 1969 and his mother Esther on January 24, 2013.

Donald's Funeral Service will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church of Edmore on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Don Reynolds and Reverend Jodi Myrvik. The organist will be Lois Myrvik with special music by the High Plains Trio. Interment will be in St. Edward's Catholic Cemetery, Nekoma, ND. Serving as casketbearers will be Tony McFarland, John Sanderson, Doug Loff, Lavern Nyland, Rodney Melland, Edval Helle, Oliver Sampson, and Winston Johnson. The honorary casketbearers will be George "Bud" Dahlen and Bruce Berg. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service.