Earl Besse

Earl Besse, 91 of Devils Lake, formerly of Starkweather, ND died on Friday, September 2, 2011 in Fargo, ND. Funeral Services for Earl will be held at First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Sue Mackey will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, September 5, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Earl will be Ken Besse, Gordon Besse, Judi Besse, Austin Besse, Terry West, Scott Bye and Myron Loberg. Earl was born on August 15, 1920 at Garske, North Dakota, the son of Fred and Austia (Lee) Besse. He was reared and educated in Starkweather and graduated from Starkweather High School in 1938. Earl was united in marriage to Lorraine Alm on June 25, 1943 at Devils Lake. They established their home on a farm in the Starkweather area where they farmed side by side until 1956 when they moved to Devils Lake and made this their home through the years. After moving to Devils Lake Earl worked as the Service Manager for the Chevrolet Garage for five years. Following that, Earl worked for the Devils Lake Public School System as a custodian at Central High School for over 30 years. Lorraine passed away on June 21, 1995. For Earl, being at Central High School was more than a job, he loved being a part of the students lives and their activities. He enjoyed following the teams and encouraged and supported all the students. In his younger years, Earl enjoyed the outdoors and hunting with family and friends. He was an avid reader and always liked to socialize with others, playing cards, bingo and other activities that brought friends and neighbors together. Earl was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge. Earl is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Ken and Judi Besse of Broomfield, Colorado and Gordon and Barb Besse of Devils Lake; grandson Austin Besse and his wife Sarah and great grandson Indigo Besse all of Seattle, Washington and granddaughter Robin Besse of San Marcos, Texas; sisters-in-law Viola Besse of Austin, MN, Agnes West of Jamestown, ND and Karn Alm of Thornton, Colorado; numerous nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lorraine; son Gary Besse; brothers William, Alfred, Clarence and Floyd Besse and sisters Gladys Pinkerman and Irene Eidem. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake