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I. Lovaas, age 82, of Valley City died Nov. 19, 2015 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City. Funeral services with military rites will be conducted at 1 PM Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at the Lerud-Schuldt Funeral Home with Virginia Davy officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Wednesday. Interment will be in Zion Cemetery near Valley City.
Omar was born to Ole J. and Ingeborg (Hoiland) Lovaas on May 29, 1933. He had two older sisters, Lisebet and Inez, and a younger sister, Elinor. Omar had the good fortune of growing up on a farm in Green Township and learned the values that came with a strong Norwegian heritage. He was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran church, rural Valley City and attended Green Consolidated School, graduating in 1951. He then attended NDSSS at Wahpeton. In 1952 he enlisted in the US Navy and served for 4 years. He spent 52 days in Korean waters during the Korean Conflict. During this time Omar’s ship DD-685, the USS Picking was so low on food supplies the crew was forced to eat only white rice for many days. Omar detested rice after that. Omar worked in the engine room of the ship. He said it was extremely hot and very confining with only one very small exit. Omar was honorably discharged from active duty in 1956 and he returned home to help farm with his dad. He returned to NDSSS to complete his mechanic training. While farming he began working as a mechanic for the ND Highway Dept. at Valley City. He retired in 1999 after almost 30 years at a job he enjoyed and took pride in. He made many good and faithful friends there. Omar married Dorothy (Huckle) Babcock and they made their home in Valley City with her three sons. This marriage ended in divorce and many years later he was married to Sharon Padget. They made their home in Valley City with her son Chris and daughter Carrie.
Omar is survived by a sister, Inez Aus of Weaverville, CA, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and many cousins in Norway. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Ingeborg Lovaas, sisters, Elinor Jane (Marvin N.) Olson and Lisebet (Harold) Lockwood.
An online guest book is available at www.lerudschuldt.com.