Gunnard Ness

Gunnard Ness, 90, Fargo, ND died on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo.

Gunnard Knutson Ness was born Oct. 16, 1929, the second child of Gabriel Knutson Ness and Tina Marie (Dale) Ness in Fordville, ND. The first child died at age 11 months in April 1929. He was given the same name when the name was passed on to the second child. He spent his entire life in Fordville until age 69, when he moved to Fargo following a leg amputation, to be near family and medical facilities. He was baptized and confirmed in the Fordville Lutheran Church by Rev. S.K. Knutson and where he remained a member the remainder of his life. He graduated from Fordville High School in 1947 and entered the University of North Dakota where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1951.

He entered the Army service Feb. 13, 1952 serving in the Counter Intelligence Corps branch, including in the Far East during the Korean action and was discharged Feb. 13, 1954. He spent his entire life in the Ness family weekly printing/publishing business which he and his brothers continued as the business his father had started in 1922. He served 45 years as a member of the Walsh County Social Service Board. In college, he was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, a journalism fraternity and Tau Delta Epsilon social fraternity. He was a member of Forest River Lodge, A.F.&A.M., the Elks Lodge and Sons of Norway Lodge.  Gunnard married Ellen Satrom Keller on July 16, 1971 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo.  They made their home in Fordville, ND, moving to Fargo in 1998.

He is survived by two step children, Dean (Cathy) Keller of Austin, TX and Sandra (Dean) Sauvageau of Fargo; five grandchildren, Mike Keller of Austin, Corey (Jess) Keller of Austin, Nicole (Cambrick) Broady of Newnan, GA, Todd (Darci) Sauvageau of Forest Lake, MN and Jill (Brian) Staffne of West Fargo; 8 great grandchildren; brothers, Marvin Ness of Fargo, Truman (Carol) Ness of Fordville, Kenneth (Mavis) Ness of Grand Forks, ND, sisters, Maridell Hill of Aberdeen, WA and Marlys Bye of Portland, OR and many nieces and nephews.

Gunnard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ellen; infant brother, Gunnard; brother, George (Marion) Ness; sister-in-law, Barbiece Ness and brother-in-law, Jerry Hill.

A Memorial Service & Burial will be held at a later date.  (There will be no burial this Friday, March 20, 2020)

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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