Warren Nye

Warren K. Nye, 95, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, January 25, 2009 at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls.  Warren was born on January 24, 1914 in Medina, ND to Warren “Bill” H. and Clara (Kirkeby) Nye. He graduated from Medina ND high school in 1931 and graduated from the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND in 1934. On May 9, 1937 he married Clarice Katherine Spillum of Rollag MN and they made Fergus Falls their home. He spent many years working for Otter Tail Power in Fergus Falls, starting as a tester in the meter department in 1934. He retired from full employment in 1979 as Senior Vice President of Electrical Distribution and then served on the Board of Directors until 1985. Warren served over fifty years with the Company. In recognition of his contribution to the electrical industry, he received the Westinghouse Tesla Award in 1983. Throughout the decades he was very active in community affairs. He served as President of the Red River Section of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, President of the Red River Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, President of the Lake Region Hospital, President of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, President of the Rotary Club, Director of the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce, and Director of the United Way. Warren had been a member of the Otter Tail County Historical Society, BPO Elks and the Fergus Falls Community College Foundation. He also had an interest in banking, serving as a director of the First National Bank of Drake, ND and Security State Bank in Fergus Falls. He was preceded in death by his wife, Clarice; his parents, his sisters, Irene, Esther, Ruth, and Grace, and his brother, Orville. Survivors include two sons: Stephen and his wife Barbara of Gilmer, Texas, and James of Houston, Texas; two grandchildren:  Jenifer Trumler of Rockville, Nebraska, and Sunny Nye of Pineville, Louisiana; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 102 W. Junius Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537 or the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136. Visitation:  4-6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home Service: 1 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Paul Nelson and Chaplain Harry Olson Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com