Ivan Gjerding, 96, Marion, ND passed away on Monday, January 29, 2018 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, ND. Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm, Friday, February 2, 2018 in the chapel at Ave Maria Village, Jamestown, ND. Visitation will be at 2:00, one hour prior to the service.
Ivan was born in Rosebud Township in Barnes County, ND on May 12, 1921 to Iver and Ingeborg Gjerding, whom emigrated from Norway in 1908. Ivan was the youngest of 9 children. He graduated from Greenland High School in 1940. While attending High School he lived with George and Leona Piehl. After graduating he entered the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs) working in Fort Meade, SD. Later he moved to Seattle, WA where he worked for the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company as a pipe fitter. In 1942 he returned to ND to see his girlfriend, Irene, before enlisting in the military. His enlistment never happened because he became ill with Rheumatic Fever. After his recovery, he worked at a bakery in Fargo, attended and graduated from a machinist course at NDSU and finally was able to return to the Marion area to begin farming.
On February 25, 1945, Ivan married his girlfriend, Irene Manns, at First Lutheran Church, Litchville, ND. They farmed together and raised crops, shorthorn cattle and 5 children. They were active members of Marion Lutheran Church and they enjoyed square dancing and visiting with friends and family who stopped in for coffee.
Ivan enjoyed reading, fishing and in his later years, gardening. While visiting with people he delighted in conversations about genealogy and learning about connections that could be made either here or in the old country.
Ivan is survived by his wife of 72 years, Irene; his 5 children Karen (Jim) Larson, Colleen (Tom) Perius, Bonnie Henningson, Becky (Byron) Knudsen and Kaare (Sandy) Gjerding; his grandchildren Jon and Eric Larson, Darin and Chad Perius, Wes and Ken Knudsen, William and Nathan Henningson and Tiffany, Kyle and Danika Gjerding; his great-grandchildren Riley, Will, Rob, Oliver, Vivian, Brooke, James, Emma, and Keaton; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 8 brothers and sisters, Einar Gjerding, Marie Tiegland, Cora Barthhold, Agnes Gjerding, Adolph Gjerding, Inga Sandness, Hazel Nesland, Olga Jacobson and son-in-law Paul Henningson.
Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home, Valley City, ND is assisting Ivan’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to Lakeview Cemetery (9335 SE 56th St., Marion, ND 58466) or Marion Lutheran Church (99 Main Ave., Marion, ND 58466).