Olger Barsness

Olger Edwin Barsness, 96, a longtime Minot resident, died Wednesday, July 15, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Olger was born Sept. 15, 1912, in Surrey to David and Anna (Engebretson) Barsness. He was reared and educated in Maryland Township of Ward County, north of Surrey. As a young adult he assisted with the operation of the family farm.

Olger married Viola Hovey on Aug. 24, 1935, in Minot. They made their home in Velva, where he owned and operated the Velva Bakery. The family moved to Minot in 1950, when he purchased the City Bakery on Main Street. Olger, Viola and family operated the bakery until 1974, when a downtown renewal project forced the closure of the business and Olger's retirement. During their retirement years, they spent extended time during the winter months in Mesa, Ariz. Viola died on Feb. 26, 2006.

Olger was a member of the Minot Chamber of Commerce. He also worked with the planning commission for the Milton R. Young Towers. He was an active member of the Minot business community. Olger also organized the North Dakota Baking Association in the mid-60s.

Olger was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, and a former member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. His home church while growing up was Immanuel Lutheran, rural Surrey. He was an active member of the Minot Lions Club since 1954 and had served as president of the local club and District Governor of the regional organization. He was actively involved in the establishment of eight North Dakota and two Arizona Lions clubs. He was especially proud and honored to be awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award by Lions International. Also, he was a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles Aerie, Sons of Norway and the Scandinavian Heritage Association. He especially enjoyed bowling, golf, traveling and dancing. He was an excellent dancer.

Olger's loving family includes: his children, Geraldine Peterson and Audrey Nelson, both of Minot, Diane Stevenson of Mesa, Ariz. and Terry (Jean) Barsness of Beaumont, Calif.; adoring grandchildren, Julie (Alan) Argust, Jane (Mark) Grunenwald, Jennifer (Don) Lafontaine, John (Kim) Peterson, Debra (Ernie) Gutierrez, Jeffrey (Connie) Nelson, Wade Nelson, Kevin Nelson, Bradley (Crystal) Stevenson, Brent (Tracy) Stevenson, Bryan Barsness and Matthew Barsness; great-grandchildren, Eric Argust, Ryan Argust, Jessica (Owen) Kilichowski, Christine and Heather Grunenwald, Jamie (Nick) Apffel, Justin Lafontaine, Tyler, Sarah and Zachary Peterson, Marcus and Kaitlyn Gutierrez, Chaz (Ashley) Nelson, Brittany and Michael Nelson, Alexandra Nelson, Cory, Steven and Morgan Stevenson, Jessica, Brock and Owen Stevenson; great-great-grandchildren, Ryley Nelson, Nicholas and Christian Apffel; sisters, Myrtle Lund. Minot, and Bernice Gerszewski, Oakhurst, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Olger was preceded in death by his wife; sisters, Viola Dickey, Irene Wallery, Delia Bowman and Hazel Barsness; brothers, Blaine, Bernie and LaVerne Barsness; sons-in-law, Jerome Peterson, Mike Nelson and Clarence Stevenson.

Funeral Service: Monday, July 20, 2009 at 10 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Today (Sunday) from noon to 5 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church Foundation, the Lions Club or the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).