Bernard Fossan

Bernard Sidney Fossan, 82, a resident of Dalton, died Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center in Battle Lake.  Bernard was born on March 17, 1926 on the Sageng place north of Dalton, MN, the son of Nels and Selma (Simonson) Fossan. He grew up in Tumuli Township and attended District No. 4 country school in Otter Tail County.  On June 6, 1951 he married Elaine Rieken at the home of Rev. M. J. Berge in Fergus Falls. Through the years, Bernard farmed in St. Olaf Township and also hauled milk for the Ashby Creamery, Cass Clay, and NFO. He bladed roads in many different townships, and always enjoyed getting the roads snowplowed early in the morning so the students would be able to get to school safely.  He also worked construction with Karrold-Evavold Construction of Ashby, and Eagle Construction. He was a member of Kvam Free Lutheran Church, the Ashby Senior Center, the Dalton Threshing Association, and the Dalton Snow Threshers. As a young man he sang in the Orpheum Male Chorus, and sang in the Kvam choir all his life. He enjoyed Minnesota Twins baseball, playing snooker pool and whist, driving and sightseeing (exploring), and also taught his grandchildren and their friends to rollerskate. Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Bradley, a daughter-in-law, Karla; a son-in-law, Lyle Narveson; and a granddaughter, Tracy Narveson. Survivors include his wife, Elaine Fossan of Ashby; seven children: Valerie Narveson of Ashby, Sidney Fossan (Jodie Wells and her family) of Fergus Falls, Shannon (Cynthia) Fossan of Becker, Renae Fossan of Port Townsend, WA, Yvonne (Randy) Hetland of Gonvick, MN, Robert (Sheila) Fossan of Dalton, and Paul “Buck” Fossan of Fergus Falls; 14 grandchildren: Betty Jo (Mark) Decker, Kollyn (Jeff) Malecha, Cirissa Fossan, Ashley (Jason) Foradory, Emily Fossan, Benjamin Hetland, Bradley Hetland, Waylon Fossan, Dakota Fossan, Tyler Peterson, Megan Fossan, and Allisson, Emily and Hannah Wells; seven great-grandchildren: Damian Narveson, John Decker, Alexander Decker, Alyssa Malecha, Jaylin Fossan,Grace Foradory and Gavin Wells; a sister, Norma (Harley) Kittelson of Fergus Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation:   5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with a public prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service:  1 p.m. Wednesday at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church, Dalton Clergy:  Reverend Steve Carlson, Pastor Mark Johnson and Reverend David Foss Burial:   Kvam Free Lutheran Cemetery, Dalton Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com