Neil L. Nygaard
Feb. 11, 1952 – April 20, 2019
Neil L. Nygaard, 67,
Minot, ND died Saturday,
April 20, 2019 after a
courageous battle with
cancer.
Neil was born the son
of Melvin and Margaret
(Welch) Nygaard at Minot,
ND on February 11, 1952.
He was raised and educat-ed in Minot.
He was united in mar-
riage to Cindy Ofsthun
August 15, 1970. To this
union one son, Brent, was
born. They have made
Minot their home since.
Neil was a longtime em-
ployee of Schwan’s Sales
and Enterprise, working
in the warehouse division
for over twenty-five years.
Neil was a faithful sup-
porter of Minot High
School athletics for the
past 10+ years, attending
boys’ and girls’ basketball,
volleyball, football, soft-
ball, baseball, girls’ tennis,
and Legion baseball in the
summer. He continued to
follow Minot High athlet-
ics, as well as, MHS gra-
duates competing at the
collegiate level. Neil had
many other hobbies such
as fast pitch softball, golf,
boating, water skiing,
hunting and fishing. Neil
was an avid Philadelphia
Eagles’ fan since the early
1970’s.
He is survived by his
wife of 49 years, Cindy,
son, Brent and his chil-
dren, Naomi and Vreelyn,
all of Minot, ND; siblings,
Connie (Terry) Keller, Lib-
by, MT, Margaret Goetz,
Rapid City, SD, Dennis
(Patricia) Nygaard, Bur-
lington, ND, Blanchard
(Jane) Nygaard, Minot,
ND; mother-in-law, Lu-
cille Ofsthun, Minot, ND;
brother-in-law, Craig
Ofsthun, Minot, ND sis-
ter-in-law, Peggy Ann
Gantner Nygaard, Bem-
idji, MN and many nieces,
nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in
death by his parents,
brother, Melvin Nygaard;
father-in-law, Marlo
Ofsthun; brothers-in-law,
Jerry Goetz and Troy
Goetz and a nephew.
A private prayer ser-
vice of Neil’s Life will be
held at the Thomas Fami-
ly Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation and a book
signing will be held on
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30
p.m. at the Thomas Fami-
ly Funeral Home, Minot.
Per Neil’s request, there
will be no funeral. In-
stead, he requested a
“Celebration of his life” to
be held at a later date.
Memorials are preferred
to Trinity Hospital Cancer
Care Center or a charity of
your choice.
Memories and con-
dolences can be shared at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.