Theodore W. ’Ted’ Olsgaard

Theodore William Olsgaard, 85, Fargo, N.D., died Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, at Essentia Hospital, Fargo, N.D, surrounded by his loving family.Ted Olsgaard was born July 13, 1926, to Jens and Esther Gustafson Olsgaard on their farm near Rustad, MN. He attended school in Rustad and graduated from Comstock High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he farmed with his dad and brothers, Maurice and Harold. He was drafted into the army during the Korean Conflict and served with the 7th Infantry Division overseas in Korea. Upon returning, he went back to farming, but he also went to Concordia College, graduating in 1959. On June 29, 1957, Ted married Norma Lou Ness. He taught math in Crookston, Fergus Falls, Barnesville, and Moorhead, MN. While teaching, he also continued to farm. In 1962, he purchased a farm in Holy Cross Township. Ted was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifelong member of Hoff Lutheran Church, where he actively served as a Sunday school teacher and board member. He had a passion for music and participated in church and community choirs. Ted served on the Eventide Board for 9 years. He was blessed through many years of participating in BSF Bible Study Fellowship and he shared that blessing of faith and commitment to Christ.Ted is survived by his wife, Norma, Fargo; two sons, Daniel Jayne, Moorhead and Peter, Moorhead; one daughter, Pamela Mark Nielsen, Forest Lake, MN; four brothers and two sisters, Maurice May, Charles Mary, Ida Flaaten, all of Moorhead, Otto, West Fargo, Hazel Jerry Iwen, Minneapolis, Richard Rose, Bellevue WA; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Olsgaard, Fargo, and Anne Olsgaard, Moorhead; one brother-in-law, Harry Kakutani, Hawaii; eight grandchildren, Jordan Heather Olsgaard, Eden Bryce Meyer, Jacob Olsgaard, Joshua Nielsen, Danielle Nielsen, Jared Olsgaard, Benjamin Nielsen, Samuel Nielsen; one great-grandson, Cohan Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by six brothers; Oscar, Selmer, Raymond, Peter, James, Harold; four sisters, Marjorie, Shirley, Elna, Grace; one son, Thomas; and one grandson, Abraham.