Allen Andvik

Allen Frederick Andvik, 63, a resident of Moorhead and formerly of Fergus Falls, died Friday, February 11, 2011, at Scott and White Healthcare Center in Temple, Texas. He was born March 24, 1947, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Frederick and Corinne (Highdale) Andvik. He grew up in Fergus Falls, graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1965. He then attended the Brown Institute in Minneapolis for radio broadcasting. In August of 1966, he joined the U. S. Army, serving in Vietnam as an airplane mechanic. He was discharged in August of 1969. He worked for J. C. Penny’s and Wright Tree service. In May of 1972 he married Linda Drews at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls, and they had two beautiful daughters, Heidi and Jill.  He worked at the Fergus Falls Airport from 1973 – 1975 as a flight instructor. At that time he joined KBRF as an announcer, and later in sales. He spent over twenty years working in sales at Skyvision. Following that he was employed as a Fielding Specialist with MPRI/NCI, working with soldiers being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. On August 18, 2001, he married Janice Rastedt, his swing dance partner, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Battle Lake, and became a loving stepfather to her two children, Aimee and  Ryan. Allen was a lifetime member and officer at the VFW, and also a member of the Jaycees. He was an avid swing dancer and loved to hunt, fish, and golf. He enjoyed astronomy, baking, quilting, and getting together with his family and friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his five grandchildren. He took great pride in making quilts for each of his grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Gene; his sister, Joan Moen; his twin sister, Alice Tate; and his father-in-law, Rudolph Virnala. Survivors include his wife, Jan; his two daughters: Heidi (Scott) Nordin of Grand Forks, and Jill (Mike) Brethorst of Barnesville; two stepchildren: Aimee Rastedt of Fargo, and Ryan Rastedt of Pelican Rapids; his daughter-in-law, Stacey Rastedt; five grandchildren: Katelin and Grant Brethorst; Brielle Nordin; and Rylee and Taylor Rastedt; a sister, Joyce (Don) Saurer of Moorhead; his mother-in-law, Hilma Virnala of New York Mills; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2011, at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Bob Kandels Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls