Paul Shannon Fjestad

Paul Shannon Fjestad, 80, of Fergus Falls, died peacefully from complications of pneumonia on January 14, 2017, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, with members of his loving family at his side.

Paul was born on November 9, 1936, the first of three sons, to Philip and Borghild (Swendsrud) Fjestad. He grew up on the family dairy farm just south of Carlisle, MN. Paul was baptized and confirmed at Hedemarken Lutheran Church in Carlisle. His youth was filled with farm chores, 4-H softball, other church and community activities, and lots of fun and hijinks with his brothers, Carlisle friends, and his Swendsrud cousins. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1954 and attended Concordia College. Paul was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1958.

Paul and Ardyce Juvrud were married on June 14, 1959, in Henning, MN. They had three children. Paul worked for the Farmer’s Elevator in Carlisle. In 1967, he took a position as an auditor with the Atwood Larson Grain Company (later Atwood-Kellogg). He enjoyed the many hours he spent on the road traveling from one grain elevator to another and visiting with the farmers. During his tenure with the company, the family lived in Moorhead, MN, Williston, ND, Fergus Falls, MN, and Jamestown, ND. He was integrally involved in the life of his church in all of these locations. In 1997, he retired from the grain business, and he and Ardy returned to Fergus Falls.

In retirement, Paul worked part time at the Foxhome Grain Elevator, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and Olson Funeral Home. He was active in The Carlisle Band, The Fergus Falls Sunrise Rotary Club, The Elks, The Sons of Norway, Friends of the Prairie Wetlands, The Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In addition, he volunteered with the Red Cross, the Veterans’ Service Office, The Fergus Falls Veterans’ Home, Reading for the Blind, and various other organizations.

Paul’s infectious smile and genuine love of people endeared him to many. Everywhere Paul went, including a glacier in Norway, he was able to discover a mutual connection with one or more people. Paul was a hunter and fisherman who was more interested in camaraderie with his companions than the thrill of the hunt or catch. He cherished time spent in deer camp, the Northwoods, and at his children’s lake cabins. Paul loved children of all ages and never met a baby he couldn’t rock to sleep. He and Ardy have always been dedicated fans of the activities in which their children and grandchildren participated, as well as the local sporting and music events of all of the communities in which they lived.

Paul is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Ardyce Fjestad of Fergus Falls; his children, Pam (Barry) Vig of Northfield, Julie (Dan) Giesen of Minneapolis and Mark (Nancy) Fjestad of Stillwater; grandchildren, Paul (Jessica) Vig, Megan (Mandolyn) Barrymore, Kevin Vig, Will Giesen, Emily Fjestad, and Matthew Fjestad; great-grandchildren, Charlie and Henry Vig and Elyson Barrymore; brothers, Gordon (Ellie) Fjestad and Dennis (Deanna) Fjestad; brothers-in-law, Russ (Pat) Juvrud and Otto Juvrud; sister-in-law, Francis (Jack) Blask; many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; and friends too numerous to count.

Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church “Beyond the Building” Fund, Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sunday Morning Broadcast or Fergus Falls Public Library Renewal Project.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 19, 2017 with a public prayer service at 6:30 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 20, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverends Tom Peterson and Jake Anderson
Interment: Hedemarken Cemetery, Carlisle, MN at a later date
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls