Dr. Otto E. Ursin

Dr. Otto E. Ursin, age 90, of Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, October 21, 2009, in Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo, ND. Otto Elliot Ursin was born on April 18, 1919 to Pastor Ove and Marianna Anderson Ursin in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada. He lived in Canada until the age of four, when his family moved to the United States. His family briefly lived in Big Fork, MN before moving to Bemidji, MN, where he graduated from Bemidji High School. Otto earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Bemidji State University, his Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota and his Doctorate Degree in Industrial Technology from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Otto served in the Army Air Corp during WWII in the South Pacific. On July 1, 1950, he married Bernadine Gunderson in Gary, MN. Together they had three children, Steven, David and Cindy. He was an active member in the Moorhead Kiwanis club and Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Otto spent his teaching career at the University of Minnesota in Moorhead where he taught until his retirement in 1982.Otto enjoyed travel in the United States, Canada and internationally, but favored spending most of his time with family at their cabin on Long Lake, near Vergas, MN. Otto had a passion for working with wood and was considered a Master woodworker.Otto found his greatest joy in spending his time with family and friends. Otto lived life to always look at the positive, find the best in people he knew and enjoyed every moment with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bernadine Ursin of Fargo, ND; one son, David Bobbie Ursin of Flagstaff, AZ; one daughter, Cindy Jim O’Day of Fargo, ND; two sisters, Sylvia Jamar of Duluth, MN and Elizabeth Given of Rochester Hills, MI; five grandchildren, Dan O’Day of Fargo, ND, Teresa O’Day, Seoul, South Korea, Ashlie O’Day, Minneapolis, MN, Robert Kane of Staunton, VA, and Jamie Crane of St. George, UT; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by both parents, his brother Victor Ursin and one son Steven Ursin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Trinity Lutheran Church – Building for Mission fund.