Lester R. Nyhus

Lester “Les” Nyhus, 81 of Devils Lake formerly of Rugby, ND, died Saturday afternoon, June 13, 2009 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Services for Les will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Ken Bowman will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, on Wednesday, June 17th, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will be present from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Serving as Casket Bearers for Les will be Morris Vigen, Jim Mertens, Jerry Johnson, Cody Mertens, Jeremiah Johnson, Marty Iverson, Duane Grego, Perry Erovick and Mathew Berg. Music will be provided by Jeremiah Johnson, Kimberly Breiner, Donovan Foughty and Lynda Pearson. Lester R. Nyhus was born on December 30, 1927, in Minot, ND the son of Leonard and Ruth (Enga) Nyhus. He was reared and educated in Rugby, ND, graduating from Rugby High School with the class of 1945. He attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a composite major and minor in Natural Sciences. At UND Lester was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. In 1950, Les graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Minot State College and in 1957 received his Masters’ Degree in Education from UND. Lester was united in marriage to RoseMarie Brandt on August 13, 1950, in Rugby, ND. Lester’s career in education was versatile including positions as an instructor and in administrative capacities. He was a Science, Math, and German instructor, a Band Director and a High School Principal in Upham, ND, from 1950-1954. He was a Math and Chemistry teacher and High School Principal at Cando, ND, from 1954-1959. In later years Les was a Math instructor and Junior High School Principal from 1959 to 1967 and the Senior High School Principal from 1967 until 1987 in Devils Lake. Les also served as the DLPS Athletic Director from 1987 until 1989 when he retired. After retirement, Les and RoseMarie continued to make Devils Lake their home, spending the winter months in Florida for over 20 years. Les was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he served as the congregational President and also as Secretary/Treasurer and on various other committees throughout the years. He was very active in community services, serving on numerous committees and also very active in the Senior Meal Delivery Service. Les was a life member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge #1216, serving as Exalted Ruler, Trustee and District Deputy. He was a charter member of the Devils Lake Elks Band, playing the cornet for fifty years. On the National Level, Les served as the District Deputy East of the National Elks Association. Les was active in the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals, serving on the Board of Directors, as President and as Secretary/Treasurer for 12 years. He was honored for his dedication to education when he was named North Dakota Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals in 1984, named to the Devils Lake High School Hall of Fame in May of 2003 and named Boss of the Year by the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce in 1980. Lester is survived by his loving wife of 58 years RoseMarie; His daughters, Leanne Rae and her husband Morris Vigen of Adams, ND; Marcee Ruth and her husband James Mertens of Devils Lake; Kara Linn and her husband Jerry A. Johnson also of Devils Lake; Grandchildren: Jennifer (Marty) Iverson, Kyra (Perry) Erovick and Angela (Mathew) Berg; Karsi (Duane) Grego, Cody Merterns and KelSie Mertens; Jeremiah Johnson; Great Grandchildren: Zachary, MacKenzie and Carter Iverson; Jacob, Jordan and Jameson Erovick and Griffin Grego. Lester was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Don.