Donald Atherton

Don Atherton, 93, of Moorhead, passed away December 16th, 2014, at Sanford Palliative Care Center, Fargo.
Don, son of Ned and Anna Blaurock Atherton, was born on September 24, 1921 on a farm in Ramsey County, ND.

When Don’s father, Ned, was killed in an accident when he was about a year old, Ned’s brother Cassius married Anna and raised Don and his two sisters and brother. In 1926, the family moved to Cato Township, where Don attended a small rural school. After grade school, he attended Noonan Consolidated School for one year of high school, later receiving his GED from Moorhead H.S.

In 1940, Don attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton and then Interstate Business College in Fargo. From there, he went to work for the Chicago Northwestern RR in Fargo as a rate clerk.
In June of 1942 he enlisted in the army, where he spent one year under the ASTP program at the University of Missouri, and then served in the European Theater Battle of the Bulge, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 8th Infantry Division.

On January 8, 1946, Don married Elizabeth Brunsvold. Upon his discharge from the Army in May, 1946, he and Elizabeth Betty moved to the family farm in Oakport Township, where they farmed until 1982.

Besides farming, Don was very active in many community organizations. He participated in a 10 man board that successfully opposed the city of Moorhead purchase of a half section farm in Oakport to build a sewage lagoon. He served 9 years on the Moorhead School Board. As a member of the school board, he served on the board of the Minnesota Technical Schools, which included 6 years as president. Don also served 30 years on the Kragnes Farmers Elevator Board. He was instrumental in the building of the Sabin Elevator, that today is the main part of the Kragnes Elevator. Don also served nine years as a member of the Eventide Lutheran Home Board of Directors. Having been active at Trinity Lutheran Church for over 65 years, he also spent four years on the church council, which included one year as president.

Don is survived by his three children, Greg, Peggy, Dallas, TX; Judy Louis Bede, Dayton, OH; and Terry Donna, Moorhead. Also ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, son Gary, parents, Cassius and Anna, brother, Paul, and sisters Ruth Hock and Marianne Hagen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Arc West Central, 810 4th Avenue South, Suite #134, Moorehead, MN 56560.

Visitation: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Interment will be at a later date at Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead.