Sven Gjesdal
October 6, 1928 — September 10, 2013
Sven Orlando Gjesdal, a.k.a. Dad, George, Dump-Dump, and Grandpa O, lived every day with gusto, following his mantra: "always try to better yourself". He died Tuesday, September 10 with his family by his side.
On June 7, 1951, Orlando married the love of his life, Joan Moen. During the summers, they traveled the U.S. with their three daughters, hitting "every damn dam" and a few burrito stands along the way, and were formidable pinochle partners. To the end, Orlando admired Joan's beauty and intelligence.
In 1951, the United States Army drafted Orlando, stationing him in El Paso, Texas, where he and Joan lived for two years before making their permanent home in Michigan, ND. He has been a member of the Michigan American Legion for more than 50 years.
From 1955 until his retirement in 1992, Orlando worked at Farmers Union Insurance in Lakota, ND, saying that work was not supposed to be fun, and reveled in his hobby farm near Nekoma, saying that farming never felt like work.
In retirement, he played pool and bridge several times a week, and was always on the hunt for his next opponent. Much to Orlando 's disappointment, he took second place in his last pool tournament on August 28 at the Fargo Senior Center. "I always try to win", he said.
His neighbors often witnessed him pruning his pristine lawn and garden, and this past Mother's Day, he voluntarily mowed several lawns for elderly neighboring mothers.
Orlando suffered from heart disease for 25 years. He fought a good fight, won most of the battles and will be missed by many, including his daughters, Deb (Brian) Hanson, Robbyn (Gordon) Maresh, and Kristi Gjesdal; grandchildren, Jacob (Jessica) Hanson, Tyler Hanson, Brett (Carrie) Hanson, Casey Hanson, Erika (Rodney) Anderson, Matthew (Lindsay) Maresh, Alyssa (Paul) Konickson, and Cody Johnson; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Myrtle Fladeland and Ellen Mielke; several nieces and nephews, and many friends.
He's playing pinochle in Heaven with his wife Joan, infant son Erik, parents, three brothers, and one sister.
All of Orlando's family and friends are welcome to celebrate his life at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at his favorite pool hangout, the Knights of Columbus (601 University Ave., Grand Forks), or attend his funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Michigan Lutheran Church (421 Broadway North). Orland has donated his body to the UND Medical School.
In lieu of flowers, Orlando 's family invites you to support the Michigan Area Ambulance Service, the Michigan Cemetery, Nelson County Dollars for Scholars, or the Sanford Health Palliative Care Unit.
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