Melvin J. Northagen
June 18, 1923 — December 9, 2016
Melvin J. Northagen, age 93, resident of Park River, ND, formerly of Fordville, ND, died Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Park River, ND.
Melvin Julius Northagen was born June 18, 1923 near Dahlen, ND, the son of George and Julia (Olson) Northagen. He was raised on his parent’s farm, attended the Dahlen school and Sarnia Lutheran Church. As a young adult, he worked for area farmers. Melvin married Joyce Studley in September of 1948. They made their home in Michigan, ND, where Melvin worked at the elevator for many years. He then worked at the implement dealership for Joe Lamb. In the 1960’s he worked several years for Linstad Construction. Melvin and his family moved to Fordville in 1967 and he was a member of the Fordville Lutheran Church since. He enjoyed carpentry work so much that he began remodeling and building new homes. He sheared sheep until the age of 70. Melvin moved to the Good Samaritan Society in August of 2013.
Melvin will be missed by his wife, Joyce Northagen of Grand Forks, ND; 6 children, Ione (Floyd) Alford of Grand Forks, Reane (James) Daley of Park River, LeRoy (Jo) Northagen of Fordville, Paulette Hicks of Grand Forks, Jonathan (Tami) Northagen of Fordville, and Donald Northagen of Fordville; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lorraine Krueger of Salt Lake City, UT.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Dennis; and 4 sisters, Viola Madson, Selma Kjorsvik, Evelyn Hamre, and Alida Peterson.
The Funeral for Melvin will be held at the Fordville Lutheran Church, Fordville, ND, on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Tim Faust. The organist will be Sylvia Madson and the soloist will be Chantell Aaker. Interment will be in the spring at the Michigan Cemetery, Michigan, ND. Melvin’s grandsons will serve as casketbearers and his granddaughters will serve as honorary casket bearers. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
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