OBITUARIES: Class of 1969 (S-Z)
John Sanderson
1951-2018
John Sanderson, born July 19, 1951, in Biloxi, MS to Warren and Gloria (Anderson) Sanderson, died March 25, 2018, in Fargo, ND due to complications of Agent Orange. John served his time in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971, being wounded twice, once in the leg and later having his back broken ending his time in Vietnam and earning him a Purple Heart. After recovering, John spent the last year of his service in the honor guard out of Fort Carson, CO transporting fallen veterans to their final resting place. He returned to Fargo to attend college at NDSU, graduating with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in history.
John reunited with Julie Colligan after a hiatus, and the two married July 3, 1975, spending 43 happy years enjoying family and friends, hunting, fishing and traveling together.
The same year, John started his career with the Fargo Police Dept on May 26, 1975, rising to the position of Lieutenant. In his 27 years with the department, John was the driving force in the department’s change of equipment from a six-gun to an automatic handgun to keep up with the times. He was also an integral part of the establishment of the Fargo SWAT Team, becoming its first Commander. This was his pride and joy and look where we are today. After retirement from the police department in 2001, he was called on to set up a TSA office at the Fargo Airport. After 7 years, he retired from working to enjoy life.
In a time of crisis, he worked closely with Dennis Walaker during the flood of 1997 to coordinate what was needed to protect our city. John spent 18 years as an ND Air Guard Happy Hooligan serving in various positions in Fargo and was involved in competitive pistol shooting with the NDSU Pistol Team and with the Air Guard Pistol Team in which he excelled to Master. He was an American proud to serve his country. His wit and wisdom will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife Julie; mother, Gloria Overboe and step-father, Gerald Overboe; half sisters, Cindy (Steve) Melicher, and Sue (Bruce) Nelson; and sister-in-law, Sue (Bruce) Sanderson along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, Warren, and brother, Bruce.
Credit: Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home
Cynthia Schott Nubel
1951-2019
Cynthia (Cindy) Cheryl Schott Nubel passed away peacefully on November 29, 2019, in Lake Zurich, Illinois.
Cindy was born on April 16, 1951, in Jamestown, North Dakota to Clifford Schott and Idella Ruff who farmed west of Kulm, ND. She graduated from Fargo North High School in Fargo, ND, attended Moorehead State College in Moorehead, MN where she received her teaching certificate. Cindy married John Shaw Nubel on July 12, 1980, in Decorah, IA. They lived in Mankato, MN, Decorah, IA and Battle Creek, MI.
She is survived by her husband, John Shaw Nubel and their child, Michael John Nubel, Brighton, MI. Michael is married to Haley Nubel and they have two sons, Noah Michael Nubel (20 months) and Luke Blair Nubel (5 months). Cindy loved her two grandchildren. She loved to snuggle with Luke and she loved to teach Noah how to cook.
Siblings: Clydine (Darryl) Fey, Hawley, MN; Colleen (Roy) Johnson, Lake Zurich, IL; and Cordell (Pamela) Schott, Fargo, ND.
Nieces and Nephews: Matthew (Kim) Fey, Hawley, MN; Stacia (Terel) Beppu, Sunnyvale, CA; Christa Fey (Andy Werner), Moorhead, MN; Roy C. (Laura) Johnson, Kansas City, MO; Adam (Brittny) Johnson, Berthoud, CO; Collin Schott, Fargo, ND; Kara (Christian) Thompson, Fort Benning, GA; Laura (Garret) Bunn, Eagan, MN.
Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews: Jacob Fey, Cade, and Bram Beppu, Oliver and Pryor Johnson, Isaac and Zoe Johnson, Jack Werner. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford Christ Schott and Idella Vernell Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Cindy’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her mother Idella.
Memorial service to celebrate Cindy’s life is at Calvary United Methodist Church (4575 45th St S, Fargo, ND 58104) Saturday, December 7th at 2 pm.
Credit: InForum
Bob Scott
1950-2019
Bob Scott was born to Robert W. Scott and Hazel E. Scott (Benti) on December 21, 1950. He was their only child, as Hazel died in 1960. While Bob may not have had any biological siblings, the crew that grew up on the 1600 block of 1st Street North was his extended family. He always spoke fondly of the neighborhood and people he grew up with. Bob attended Washington Elementary, Ben Franklin Junior High School, and graduated from Fargo North in 1969.
Bob’s father managed the Kragnes Farmers Elevator in Moorhead, and this is where Bob cut is teeth learning what it meant to work. Once he got old enough, Bob worked for area farmers as a hired hand, but ultimately found his calling as a salesman for Fargo-Moorhead Jobbing, where he worked for 35+ years, retiring in 2010. Bob epitomized what it meant to be a service jobber, routinely starting his day at 3:30am to get to accounts before the morning rush. He would often deliver orders on his way home so accounts would not be out of product over the weekend.
In 1983 Bob married Julie Weckwerth in Montevideo, MN. The two settled on living in Fargo, and ironically enough bought a house on 1st Street but a few blocks north of where Bob grew up. They had two sons, Tyler and Sam. Bob enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Lake Lizzie. Once Tyler and Sam became old enough to join Scouts, Bob became a very active leader in Troop 214, helping not only his sons but many other young boys develop into young men. Bob was a staple at the annual Golden-Brown Pancake Feed, and he was one of the founders of the annual Pitchfork Fondue. He always credited the Scouting program for allowing him to experience unique adventures with his boys.
Many people know Bob, but children may especially recognize him. He embodied Santa Claus for the Fargo Park District at Rheault Farm for over 10 years. Bob would often run into people who would comment that his picture was on their refrigerator. What he took the most pride in was getting to know the kids who came to see Santa. Parents would comment how their child had been to see another Santa but didn’t want to sit on his lap. Bob would start talking to the child, and before long he would have him or her on his lap, laughing, smiling, and telling Santa what their wish from him was. He would remember names and what children had asked for previous years. He made many skeptics into Santa believers.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel (1960); father, Robert (2004); and son Sam (2011). He is survived by his wife, Julie and their son, Tyler.
Credit: Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home
Click article (above) to enlarge and read.
Eric Selberg
1951-1970
Dan Holoien’s recollection as told to Jeffrey Kallestad:
According to Dan, Eric occasionally engaged in the practice of “drafting” behind a semi truck, which I am sure was a way of conserving energy on long rides. But Eric usually rode on the shoulder to avoid the cars that were traveling at much higher rates of speed.The vehicle that hit Eric, had just passed another vehicle, which was trailing Eric and pulled back into the lane where Eric was riding, having failed to see him.
It was never clear why the driver failed to notice Eric, but as Karen pointed out, the sun was likely not a factor because it would have been behind them, as they traveled Eastbound on I 94 (not I 29).
Regardless, Eric’s death was an absolutely tragic loss for everyone that knew him, and I believe we all were denied the opportunity to see Eric fully realize the potential of his endless giftedness and genuine affection for people, biking, skiing, and music!
The slipstreaming story just proves what a quick study Eric was … lol
But, truth be told, he was such a cautious and competent rider, aside from the occasional miscue (that resulted in various degrees of road rash), the only way Eric was ever going to be seriously injured while riding, was at the hands of another person.
I love the Forum(?) clipping you have on your page with the picture of Eric on his bike (on the shoulder) … It is the perfect image of Eric that “freezes” him in time and memory!
The version from parents (by Karen Selberg-Lavelle, Eric’s sister):
They had told us the driver, an older middle-aged man, was looking at the golf course…? Whatever caused him to drift to the shoulder, he had that memory for the rest of his life. Something he had to deal with. I feel bad for him too.
That drafting caused him, at one time, a slight mishap. He hit loose gravel and fell. Yes, Eric fell. As he flew forward, he slid on his hands and knees. I don’t recall who picked him up, maybe Al. The two of them spent quite a long time removing all that gravel from hands and knees. Can’t recall how the bike faired, but Eric finally got cleaned up and healed up … as well as embedding that memory of slipstreaming a large vehicle.
My brother was killed two weeks after I graduated in 1970. I think it was June 11. I had just applied for a job at WDAY-TV. I walked into the lobby of the station, on 5th St. N. As I walked up to the receptionist, I saw the front page of the Forum with a large picture of the damaged bike on the ground by the car that hit him. The headlines did not have to tell me what the story was. I cried. I stopped by to talk to Jack Lester, who had approved my hiring (Having two parents who worked there years ago probably helped.) …to tell him that I would be unable to start when they wanted me to because of my brother’s death the day before.
Years later I remembered that my Dad and Bill Snyder were filming a public service announcement reminding drivers to be observant as they drive around town. Watch for children on bikes. The filming was my brother riding his bike down the street in front of our house. The next footage was his bike lying on the street…just in front of the car that hit him. The funeral was at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The church was full.
I recall seeing numerous young people as well as adults. The young ones were a mixture of Eric’s classmates and friends as well as classmates of mine and my sister, Sam.
I will do some searching to see if I can find the obituary. I can also track down the funeral home listing if it is available.
Would someone please provide me with a contact from your Reunion Committee. I will provide a cd or memory stick of the recording Randy Heim had done of Eric play(ing) Beatles songs, Mason Williams’ “Classical Gas”, and some others. Being 19 years old and learning by ear rather than sheet music, I think you will be amazed at how well he played. Of course, many of you probably had the pleasure of listening to him at one time or another.
This was long. My apologies.
Thanks for all the kind comments you have left about my brother, Eric.
If you’re already a member of the Fargo North High School Friends 1969 Facebook group, click the image below to hear a 30-minute recording:
If you’re not yet a member of this Facebook group, click HERE to make that request.
Dan Sexton
1951-2019
Daniel “Dan” W. Sexton, 68, of Williston, North Dakota, passed away, Saturday morning, March 2, 2019, in Williston.
Dan was born on February 4, 1951, to Elbe and Kathryn Sexton in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Fargo North High School and went on to NDSU graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree.
Dan taught school at the Fort Yates Reservation south of Bismarck, ND, for one year. His true calling was working with his hands in the outdoors. He and a friend ventured on to Williston, ND, and decided to stay because he fell in love with the town.
Dan met JoAnn Rabbe soon after moving to Williston. The two of them have been married for over forty years. JoAnn had five children, and Dan loved and raised the kids as his own.
He was an avid bicyclist in his younger days and always loved to read. His eyes would light up each time he received a new book. Dan was an outdoorsman and he loved the North Unit. He also had a great love of animals, especially his dog, Nicki. He enjoyed taking Nicki on walks.
Dan worked at Westland for a few years, then found his calling in the construction field. He worked for Wickum Construction for twenty-six years until his health issues prevented him from working. He has had various health issues over the past few years, which hampered him from doing all of the things he enjoyed doing. This bothered him immensely because he was “The Man.”
Dan is survived by his wife, JoAnn; daughter, Tammy Wright, and her daughter, Kealy; sons, Brian Hanson (Ken), Steve Hanson (Leslie); Tyrone Engelke, Shawn Galusha; sister, Carol Sexton; and many grandkids, great grandkids, and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbe and Kathryn; grandparents; and in-laws.
Dan loved everyone he came in contact with and he would give his shirt off his back if needed. His family was first and foremost in his life and he will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
The Everson Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.
Credit: Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home
Susan Simon Gust
1951-2022
Susan “Sue” Carol Gust, 71, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2022, at Sanford Broadway Medical Center, with her daughters by her side.
Sue was born on July 19, 1951, to John and Vivian Simon in Fargo, ND. She graduated from Fargo North High School in 1969 and graduated from Interstate Business College in 1978.
Sue was the mother of three daughters, Tiffany, Tracey, and Tami. Her daughters were her world, and those Gust girls kept her on her toes. She always provided support and love for her girls. She worked tirelessly to provide as best as she could for her daughters. She was their best friend.
Sue loved children, which was a large part of why she chose to work for Fargo Public Schools as a Para. Helping young people was her true joy in life, and all the students loved her. Sue was the coolest! She retired from the school district in 2014, but continued to work as a substitute para for Fargo Public Schools until 2019.
Sue enjoyed watching all sports, especially football. [She was a Vikings fan!]
Sue was a HUGE fan of the TV series Yellowstone and 1883. She loved watching those series, over and over.
Sue is survived by her daughters, Tiffany (Justin) Dalby, Tracey Saunders (Wes Miller) and Tami Crary (Nick Jones), her grandchildren, Tyler Saunders, Lexi (Cainan) Gorder, Tim Saunders (Kaisha Harmon) and Alec Dalby and great-grandchildren Trent and Troy. She is also survived by her mom, Vivian Simon, her siblings, John (Nancy) Simon, Renee (Dean) Hashbarger, Gary (Kathy) Simon and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her dad, John “Jack” Simon and by her son-in-law, Trent Saunders.
While Sue’s family grieves her loss, they are choosing to remember Sue in a way that honors her wishes. A private Celebration of Life Ceremony has taken place and her ashes are with her daughter Tiffany in beautiful Montana (near the filming of the series 1883).
A burial service will be held when Sue returns home to Fargo.
Credit: Hanson-Runsvold
Tom Snyder
1951-2001
Thomas H. Snyder, 50, of Fargo, ND, died Tuesday, June 12, 2001, at ManorCare Nursing Home, Fargo, after a 10-month illness.
Thomas was born on March 28, 1951, in Fargo, the son of Earl and Ardys (Hansen) Snyder.
He graduated from Fargo North High School and NDSCS, Wahpeton. Thomas was involved in the family business, Snyder Distributing company.
Tom was active over the years in the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theater, the Fargo Jaycees, of which he was a past president, the North Dakota Film Commission, the District 44 Republicans and the North Dakota Republican Party. Tom enjoyed photography, movies, and was an avid collector of Western Art, but nothing brought Tom more enjoyment than his dogs.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ardys Snyder; and a brother, Robert Snyder.
Tom is survived by his brother, Richard (Joyce) Snyder; three nieces, Jessica, Kelly, and Chandra Snyder; two great-nieces, Payton and Ashlyn Eagleson; and his faithful companion, Smokey.
Memorial service: Friday, June 15, 2001, at 11a in Peace Lutheran Church, Fargo.
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.
Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home.
Barry R. Sonsthagen
1951-2017
Barry Sonsthagen, 65, beloved husband, brother, and friend passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017, in Aurora, Colorado after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Sharon, of 39 years, his brothers, David, Jeff, Brian (Theresa), and sister Wendy (Kevin) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Todd.
Barry was born in Fargo, North Dakota to Bernie and Marilyn (Barko) Sonsthagen, and graduated from high school there. In his early 20s, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Barry was fortunate to be stationed in Germany, and it was an experience he really enjoyed. Upon his return to Fargo, he attended college at NDSU. Then he began working with his father in the family’s RV business, which was the start of his lifelong career in recreational vehicle sales in ND and CO.
He met his wife Sharon in 1976 when he forgot his keys and locked himself out of his apartment. Neighbor Sharon happened to walk by and offered her kitchen chair to help him crawl into his window. Those of you that know Barry well, realize this type of thing happened occasionally … not meeting women this way, but forgetting his keys! They were married January 13, 1978 in Dickinson, ND. In 1986, Barry and Sharon moved to Colorado, one of their favorite places to hike. For hobbies, Barry especially enjoyed tinkering with anything mechanical, especially sports cars. He also loved biking, skiing, wine, and having friends evaluate his latest ale find. Besides Germany, Barry traveled with Sharon to Ireland, Spain, New Zealand, throughout the U.S., and had a special love for Hawaii. Barry will be so greatly missed by his wife, family, and friends.
Credit: Horan & McConaty
At the 20-year reunion.
Donna Swanson Valento
1951-2003
Donna Jean Swanson Valento, 52, passed away at home Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Auburn Hills, MI, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
She is survived by her son and two daughters, Bill (Wendey) Valento, Nikki Valento and Tasha Valento all of Forest Lake, MN. She is also survived by her parents, Blaine and Virginia Swanson of Fargo, 4 sisters and 1 brother, Connie (Jerome) Timm of Dadeville, AL, Cheryl of Fargo, Ron (Bernie) of West Fargo, Terri Martinez of Louisville, CO, and Deb (Glen) Dilly of Fargo. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren, Joe, Tom, Kaitlin, and Billy Valento and Madison and Emma Bowen. She also leaves behind her life-long friend, Vince Vallana of Auburn Hills and her Cooper Tire family. Her brother, Bradley, preceded her in death.
Donna was born April 15, 1951 in Albuquerque, NM. She graduated from Fargo North High in 1969 and moved to St. Paul. She moved to Auburn Hills in 1988. She worked for Cooper Tires as an AP Supervisor until Feb. 2003 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She will be missed by SO many people.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, June 25 in Auburn Hills. Another service will be held in St. Paul at a later date.
Credit: InForum
Mary Swanson Harrill
1950-2011
Mary Harrill, age 60 of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away April 27, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born June 17, 1950, in Fargo, North Dakota to Edwin E. and Ruth (Borseth) Swanson. She was a 1969 graduate of North High School in Fargo, ND and was an Office Manager at numerous automobile dealerships until her health began to fail. She was the recipient of a double lung transplant in 2005 at Duke University Hospital, Raleigh-Durham, NC. Mary was a resident of Corpus Christi, TX the last 2 year of her life where she was an active member of Parkdale Baptist Church and the Gadabouts Red Hat Society. She is preceded in death by her parents and infant son Michael. Survivors include her sisters, Barbara Olson of Fargo, ND, Ernestine Stewart of Corpus Christi, TX, brother, Al Westfall of Seattle, WA, and sister, Phyllis Swanson Brandt and husband David of Hawley, MN; stepfather, Collin Wahl; numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at her church, Parkdale Baptist Church, 3875 So. Staples, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 Sunday, May 1, 2011, at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor E. C. “Yogi” Gaertner officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, MN. The family extends their thanks and appreciation to the Doctors, Nurses and Hospital Staff at University Hospital in San Antonio, TX for all their concerns, kindness and wonderful care given to their loved one.
Credit: Dignity Memorial
Wayne Wilson
1951-2019
Wayne Warren Wilson, 68, Bismarck, passed away on November 1, 2019, at Sanford Health.
Memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at 1:00 pm, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 with Pastor Julie Anderson officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00-7:30 pm at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck with a prayer service starting at 7:30.Wayne was born on August 25, 1951, in Fargo, ND, the oldest “WWW” son of Warren and Betty (Albert) Wilson. He was raised and educated in Fargo and graduated from Fargo North High School. Following graduation, he attended UND and played hockey for the Sioux. Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Hockey was a big part of his life, playing in high school, college and also a few years of Double AA, before moving to Bismarck, where he started the Century High School Hockey program and was the first head coach. He taught for over 30 years in the Bismarck Schools before retiring. Wayne was also a realtor and property manager in the Bismarck/Mandan area.
Anyone who knew Wayne knows the most important thing to him was his family. Wayne loved music, dancing and giving advice. A cabin on Big Cormorant Lake in Minnesota was one of his favorite places to spend time.
He is survived by daughters, Nicole (Bill) Grundel, Korie DeBruin and Stacey Wilson (Carl Bartell); Anita; grandkids, Levi, Logan, Lauren, Ben, Ethan, Madelyn and Birk; mother, Betty Wilson, Fargo; brothers, William (Rhonda), Fargo, Warren (Sharon), Fargo, Wesley (Linda) Eugene, OR and Wade (Betty Jo), Fargo and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dad, Warren Wilson, and son-in-law, Mike DeBruin. Wayne will be remembered as an engaged and loving son, dad, grandpa, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be sent to Mayo Clinic in memory of Wayne.
Credit: InForum
Melanie Wroe
1950-2014
Melanie Wroe, age 63, died peacefully at her Mercer Island home on October 27th, 2014 from non-small cell lung cancer.
Born December 29th, 1950 in Fargo, North Dakota, Melanie graduated from North High School. She then went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in nursing at the University of Washington. Melanie was the Director of Nursing Education at Highline Community College before she retired to raise her children.
Over her years, Melanie created a warm, loving family with her husband, Allen Sussman, and sons Zach and Sam. She was also an accomplished barbershop performer, judge, and coach on regional, national and international stages within the Sweet Adeline organization.
Melanie is survived by her husband Allen, sons Zach and Sam, sister Jan, and brother Steve. She is preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth, father Howard, and brother Mark.
A funeral is scheduled for 6:00 PM on November 16th at Benaroya Hall, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the American Cancer Society or Young Women in Harmony (a Sweet Adelines organization). Condolences can be sent to Allen Sussman.
Credit: The Seattle Times
Gail Zachgo