Alden H. Gjevre

Alden Gjevre passed away peacefully at Edgewood Assisted Care Facility in Blaine, MN on April 11, at the age of 88. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN on Wednesday April 17, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Simon Fensom officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral.

Alden Gjevre was born to Anton and Josephine Gjevre on March 13, 1931 in Spencer, SD. He was the second of four sons born to the Lutheran Pastor and his wife. The family moved several times during Alden’s childhood, but Rosholt, SD became his home, and the place where lifelong friendships were made.

In his high school years Alden was identified as a possible West Point candidate and in order to pursue this opportunity he transferred to Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo to complete his senior year and be schooled in the mathematics which weren’t being taught at the Rosholt School. He graduated from Oak Grove in 1949, and was working in Northern Idaho that summer when he received the letter that he had been accepted to West Point. Unfortunately, the letter was two weeks late, and he was given two days to report to Illinois. As it took two days just to get to civilization from the camp he was working at, West Point was not to be. Alden chose another path and began attending Concordia College in Moorhead in the fall of 1949.

He enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1950, and in January of 1951was sent to Korea. He suffered a shoulder injury and returned in July of 1952. That fall he continued his education at Concordia, graduating in 1955, and then onto Law School at the University of Minnesota.

In 1956 he married Patricia Lou McHarg, and in 1958 he graduated from law school practicing briefly in Duluth, MN. He and Pat moved to Moorhead in 1959. He was hired by the Thysell law firm in 1961. The firm went through a few name changes but eventually became known as Gjevre, McLarnan, Vaa, Hannaher, Skatvold, and McClarnan. He retired in 1994. He was also the attorney for the City of Barnesville from 1963 to 1993.

Alden had an incredible memory and charm with people. With Alden around you didn’t need a phone book, as he could recall hundreds of telephone numbers and addresses by memory. Equally impressive was his ability to recall people’s names and conversations from previous encounters. This quality endeared him to people in his professional and private life. His mind remained sharp and focused even up to his passing.

Alden had many hobbies and interests. He avidly followed his grandchildren’s sporting events, willing to travel hundreds of miles for a softball game, cross country, or track meet. He loved reading (especially history), hunting, fishing with friends and family, walking, coffee with friends at the Frying Pan and Sunmart, get togethers at The Sons of Norway (Fargo), making the Thanksgiving turkey, and more. Some of the best memories were shared with friends and family at their cabin on Ten Mile Lake, where on a Saturday afternoon he would sit on the deck with his good friend Norman Peterson, drink beer, and listen to Red Sovine.

Alden is survived by his wife Pat, his three children, Ross (Connie) Gjevre of Ramsey, MN, Scott (Penny) Gjevre of Clearwater, MN, and Kathy Gjevre of Wickenburg, AZ; grandchildren Alexandra Nail, Connor, Carter, and Hayzen Gjevre, Bill, Renee, and Emilee West, numerous nephews and nieces, and his brother John (Marjorie) of Moorhead.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Josephine, and brothers Paul and Phil. Burial will be held at a later date at Lyster Lutheran Church Cemetery in Nelson, WI.

The family would particularly like to thank Allina Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion, as well as the staff of Edgewood Assisted living for their grace in caring for a very stubborn Norwegian. .

Memorials should be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Moorhead, MN, Rejoice Lutheran Church Clearwater, MN, and/or Allina Hospice care of your choosing.