Norris T. Fagerlund

Norris Fagerlund, 94, long-time resident of Devils Lake, died on Monday, January 8, 2018 at CHI St. Alexius Devils Lake Hospital. Norris was born on October 19, 1923, on a farm near Rolla, North Dakota, the son of Oliver and Rosie (Disrud) Fagerlund. He received his schooling in Rolla, graduating in May 1941.  He attended North Dakota State University for two years before joining the Navy, serving in the western Pacific as an Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) on a minesweeper, the USS Devastator.  His squadron of minesweepers cleared the mines for the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa; he also did anti-submarine convoy duty. Norris completed his education after the war, graduating from NDSU in 1947 with a major in Agricultural Education and came to Devils Lake High School to teach, a position he held for 26 years. From there, he taught adult farmers at the Lake Region Junior College for four years. During his senior year at NDSU he married Delores Kaufer, loving wife and helpmate of 70 years. Norris was president of the North Dakota Agriculture Teacher’s Association from 1960 – 1961; in 1969 he was named the “North Dakota Vocational Agriculture Instructor of the Year”. During the All-School Reunion of 2000 nearly 100 of his former students recognized his teaching career at a gathering in the new high school.  In 2002 he was named a charter member to the Devils Lake Public School Teachers “Hall of Fame”. In 1977 he joined his wife Delores in the Fagerlund Realty firm with Norris handling the Farm Management, Farm Sales and Farm Appraisals. During this time he was a member of the Devils Lake Zoning and Planning Commission and served 10 years with the “City Tree” group. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge of which he was a Past Master and “Kem Temple of the Shrine” where he marched with the Flag Corps for over 40 years. He was also a member of the Elks and VFW.  Also important to him was his family and friends, farming and reconstructing his antique cars. Norris is survived by his three children: Patricia (Paul) Zupancich of Ely, MN, Pamela Walker, Devils Lake and Gary Fagerlund, Penn, ND, and his sister Aileen Herrala of Apache Junction, AZ. He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Christopher Zupancich, Duluth, MN, Toni Van Eyll, Waconia, MN, Abby Walker Gaskill, Velva, ND, Holly Walker, Tacoma, WA, Nathan Walker, West Fargo, ND, Seth Walker, Fargo, ND and six great grandchildren: Carter and Tyler Zupancich, Jordan and Isabel Van Eyll, Blaine and Elliott Walker Gaskill. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Norris was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Delores Fagerlund in August 2017, his brother Gerald Fagerlund and a sister, Lorraine Jensen. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held Monday, January 15, 2018 at 10:30 am at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756 Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  The Kem Shriners Flag Corp will also be represented along with Masonic Rites. A time of fellowship and remembrance will be held at the Elks Lodge immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.