Gene Nygaard

Gene Nygaard, 92, West Fargo, ND died on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Bethany on 42nd, Fargo, ND.

Roland Eugene Nygaard was born April 11, 1925 in Woodworth, ND to George W. and Rose (Dotson) Nygaard. Gene was one of 11 children. He graduated from Oakes (ND) High School and business college in Fargo. He proudly served our Country in WWII aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in the Pacific Theater, receiving the Purple Heart along with other medals of honor. Gene married Agnes Stangler on September 22, 1952 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Alice, ND. They lived in Enderlin for two years before moving to Fargo and then West Fargo.  Gene worked his entire career for Nodak Mutual Insurance Company, a company his Father helped establish. Gene held several positions with Nodak Mutual including Executive Vice President and CEO. Gene retired in 1991.

In his  retirement years, Gene and Aggie loved time with family and summers at their lake home on McDonald Lake near Dent, MN. They also enjoyed anything sports related especially golf, along with playing cards, dancing, watching sports on TV, West Fargo Packers and NDSU football.

Gene was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo serving on its council a number of years. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus, West Fargo Lions Club and West Fargo VFW. He was very active in establishing Babe Ruth Baseball in West Fargo and the Golf for Guardianship Program.

He is survived by four children, Jan (John) Arens of Fargo, Karen Paxton of West Fargo, Barb (Bob) Rice of West Fargo and Mark (Lisa) Nygaard of Fargo; eight grandchildren, Ben Arens, Kathryn (Jeremy) Bendewald, Lyn & Quincy Michael, Landon Rice, Derek (Kayla) Rice, Spencer and Matthew Nygaard; three great grandchildren; Adam & Liv Bendewald and Jordan Michael; sister, Hazel Campbell; sisters-in-law, Sue Nygaard and Lucille Elrite; brothers-in-law, Larry Lovelace and Jack Johnson; along with many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Aggie; son-in-law, Duke Paxton; sisters, Gladys Finch, Florence Wieber, Ruth Summers and Geraldine Lovelace; brothers, George, Gordon, John, Charles and William; brothers-in-law, Melvin Stangler and Bernard Stangler; and sisters-in-law, Viola Johnson and Marilyn Stangler.

Visitation:​ Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 7 to 8:15 PM with a prayer service at 8:15 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

Funeral Mass:​ Friday at 11 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, West Fargo with visitation one hour prior.

​Burial: ​Alice Community Cemetery.

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