Fred Abelseth

Minot

Fred Abelseth, 97, Minot, died Sunday, November 23, 2025, in a Minot hospital.

Fred Wesley Abelseth was born to Hans and Sally Abelseth on October 6, 1928 in Ralph, South Dakota. Fred was raised on the family sheep ranch, and attended schools in ND, SD, and Montana.

After school, Fred worked as a custom combiner for a few years, and then moved to Herlong, California, where he worked in the civil service. Fred later transitioned to a position working for a chemical company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In April of 1951, Fred was drafted into the U.S Army, spending 18 months in Korea. He was discharged in March of 1953, as a Master Sergeant. Upon returning home, Fred married the love of his life, Betty Lou St. Peter, in Kenmare on April 17, 1953.

After his service, Fred worked as a bricklayer on various construction sites around the state of ND. In 1955 he moved to Minot, and began working with Mackley Construction. He started out as a bricklaying foreman, then in 1972 he became a partner and president of the company. In addition to his construction company, Fred held office as the vice president of the Master Builders of Associated General Contractors of North Dakota for many years. Fred was also a partner in the Dakota Inn Hotel. He retired from construction in 1993.

Fred was an avid fisherman and spent a lot of his spare time on various lakes. He often went fishing with his daughters or good friends. In the winter months, Fred still would get on the lake to go ice fishing. Fred was a co-owner of a cabin at Lake Metigoshe where he spent many years on the water with friends and family. He often volunteered for a group called LureEm For Life, where he took underprivileged kids fishing. He also enjoyed golfing and was a longtime member of the country club. In his later years, he enjoyed playing cards and doing puzzles.

Fred was a member of Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was also a member of the American Legion for over 44 years, Elks Club for 26 years, Moose Lodge for 45 years, and First Lutheran Church for over 50 years. He served as the head usher at First Lutheran for 10 years. He will be remembered most as a loving and dedicated husband and father who always had time to help his family, friends, and daughters (“AKA the boys he never had!”) with anything they needed.

Fred’s loving family includes: his children, Nancy (James) Sample of Minot, Candace Abelseth of Minot, Marilyn (Alex) Poirier of Roatan Honduras, and Wendy Gust of Minot; sister, Arlene Silliman; grandchildren, Frederick Sample, Spencer Sample, Nicole (Kristopher) Brown, Makinzy Jo Northagen (Ivan) Lobo, Tara Nalty and Casey Northagen; great-grandchildren, Justin, Nicholas, Machaela, Cora, Cory and Cody Sample, James and Kennadee Gagne, Violeta Jo Northagen Lobo, Rosalinda Marie, Loren and Leonardo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Joseph Nalty; siblings, Harold Abelseth, Norman Abelseth, Gudrun Romness, and Alta Swanson; son-in-laws, Craig Gust and Loren Northagen.

Celebration of Life: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot. A livestream link for the service will be available on the funeral home website.

Visitation: Monday, December 1, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 28, 2025.