Glenn Evan Overby

Glenn Evan Overby, 91, passed away at Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, ND on April 3, 2019.

Glenn was born May 7, 1927, in Somers, MT to Mentz and Olga (Lee) Overby. He graduated from high school in 1945. As a teenager, he served on a fire lookout tower in MT. He attended St. Olaf College for two years and earned his teaching certificate at Northern Montana College. He went on to teach Jr. high students in Antelope and Great Falls, MT, and later in Wolford, ND. Glenn was active as a leader for Boy Scouts in MT and Mylo, ND and Luther League in MT.

Glenn served in the US Army for two years at a military hospital in Germany. Released from active duty as a Corporal in 1952, he enlisted in the reserves and was honorably discharged in 1956.

In 1953, his great-uncle, Jakob J. Lee, asked Glenn to move to Bisbee, ND to help farm. After “Jake” died in 1957, Glenn continued farming. He met and married Mavis Yvonne (Hjelden) Burdick February 1, 1958, in Minnewaukan. They made their home on the farm for 57 years. In June 2015, they moved to a Devils Lake, ND assisted living apartment.

After adopting Mavis’ two daughters, Sandra and Debra, he and Mavis also raised their children Paul, Daniel, Steven, and Trudy. Glenn, together with his wife, enjoyed attending the kids’ basketball games, music events, and other activities.

Glenn had a great mechanical mind with an intuitive ability to fix or improve machinery. He always worked to improve the soil of their small grains farmland and also raised cattle until retirement in 1993. For a number of years, Glenn served on the Bisbee Community Credit Union Board. He was very active in Mylo Lutheran Church, where he served on Church Council and taught Sunday School until it closed in 2001 and then transferred to Bisbee Lutheran. His deep faith led him to serve on many ELCA Eastern Synod committees, ND Lutheran Camping for Mentally Handicapped Citizens, St. Paul Lutheran Mission Board, and he was active many years in Gideons International. He enjoyed doing numerous construction and woodworking projects. Glenn’s love of music, which his kids inherited, included singing solos and in choral groups.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Mavis of Devils Lake; children Deb Jasper of Fargo, ND; Paul (Diane) Overby of Wolford, ND; Steven (Lisa) Overby of Gorman, TX; Trudy (Tom) Eide of Fargo, ND. Grandchildren include: Clifton (Alicia) Mattson, Rhonda Kittleson, Heath (Andrea) Mattson, Andrea (Beau) Medlang, Dusty (Samantha) Mattson, Kimberly Longie, Cody (Kali) Mattson, Casey Mattson, Scott (Sheryl) Jasper, Chris Jasper, Jeff (Nikki) Jasper, Ryan (Allison) Jasper, Marit (Brian) Meland, Jake (Amy) Overby, Andrew Overby, Amanda (Jonathan) Hughley, Karissa Eide, Margo Eide, Erik Eide, Britta (fiancé Jack Gibbons) Eide; his brother, Neil (Carol) Overby of Blaine, MN; 27 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nephews and nieces.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; brother Erwin; sister Marie (Tarum) Ostrem; son Daniel; daughter Sandra Mattson; son-in-law Gary Mattson; and great-grandson Christopher Medlang.

Funeral Services for Glenn will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bisbee Lutheran Church, Bisbee, ND with Reverend Tom Stenzel officiating. Burial will be in the spring at the Mylo Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 6:00 p.m. with Reverend Bonnie Weaver officiating. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.