William Nagatomo

William “Bill” Masakuni Nagatomo, 83, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at his home under the care of Lakeland Hospice. He was born October 19, 1926, in Minot, North Dakota, the son of George and Masuo (Oshikawa) Nagatomo. He grew up and attended school there, graduating from Minot High School in 1944. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 21, 1945, and served in the European Theatre during World War II until his discharge on November 8, 1946. After his discharge he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950, and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology Degree in 1953. On July 30, 1955, he married Alma M. Krefting in South Sioux City, Nebraska. He worked for a short time at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota and Crookston, Minnesota. They moved to Fergus Falls where he worked at Lake Region Hospital for 37 years as the Laboratory Manager, retiring in November of 1991. Bill loved to go deer and duck hunting, fishing, watching sports on TV – especially hockey, and was an avid reader. His special time was taking his grandkids snake hunting. Preceding him in death were his daughter, Georgia Dieseth, his parents, two sisters, Eileen Townsend and Mai Robinson, and a brother, Larry Nagatomo. Survivors include his wife, Alma Nagatomo of Fergus Falls; four daughters: Nancy (Dave) Knutson of Fergus Falls, Margaret (Tim) Devorak of Pine River, MN, Mariko (Tom) Nagatomo-Devorak of Fargo, ND, and Emiko (Jeff) Stich of Moorhead; six grandchildren: Derek (Heather) Knutson, Jessica (Mike) Stich-Hennen, Leah (Nick) Henry, Willy Devorak, Mary Devorak, and Elizabeth Dieseth; three great-grandchildren: Owen Henry, Briggs Hennen, and Sierra Knutson; a brother-in-law, William Robinson of Grand Junction, CO; a sister-in-law, Laurie Nagatomo, of Chicago, IL; several nieces and nephews; and special friends: Edward Krefting (brother-in-law), Wayne and Donna Haugrud, Gordy and Marjean Hanson, and Russ and Carol Erlandson. Visitation:  One hour prior to the memorial service at the funeral home Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel in Fergus Falls Clergy:Chaplain Harry Olson Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com