Ole M. Fosness

Ole M. Fosness Jr. Ole passed away Aug. 19, 2009 at St. Luke's Lutheran Home in Blue Earth, Minn. He was born October 21, 1926 in rural Rugby, North Dakota to Ole and Marie (Roksvaag) Fosness. Ole married Phylis Wolfe on Oct. 23, 1951. Together they had 5 children; Roger, Barbara, Ernest, Arnold and Michael. Ole received his elementary education at rural school west of Barton. He worked as a "farm hand" for local farmers in his teenage years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1945. He got his training as a paratrooper and rifleman at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Bragg, N. Carolina. In December 1945, Ole enlisted in the Regular Army Reserves. Ole served in Germany from July 1946 to November 1946. He was awarded the Victory Medal World War II and the Army Occupation Medal (Germany). He was discharged December 16, 1946. In October 1950, Ole was recalled to duty. He was in the service to his Country until his honorable discharge in Sept. of 1951. Ole worked at a steel plant in Lebanon, Penn. until he moved his family to Butte, Mt. in 1953 where he worked at Stauffer Chemical Company until 1956. The family moved back to Penn. and there he worked for a construction company. Ole and Phylis later divorced. Ole then moved back to Butte, Mt. and later in 1966, he left for Minneapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, where he was employed at a book publishing company. Ole enjoyed hunting, trapping, and traveling. He later resided at St. Luke's Lutheran Home in Blue Earth, Minn. Ole was the adventurous wanderer. As a young man, he and his buddies would travel to the cities of Minneapolis, Chicago, etc. He would come home and tell his younger siblings the stories (often exaggerated) of his adventures. But his younger siblings were always excited to hear them. Ole is preceded in death by; his parents, sons, Ernest & Michael, and brothers Harold and Peter. Ole is survived by; his 3 children, Roger, Barbara, Arnold and grandchildren. Also brothers and sisters; Norman(Elaine), Einar, Virginia LaFleur, Gladys Isaacson, Dorothy Gronvold, Lilly Olsen, Mae Metcalfe, Elsie Arends and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Ole will be held at Barton Lutheran Church in Barton, ND at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26 with the Rev. Mike Pretzer officiating. Burial will be in the West Barton Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel in Rushford, Minn. is assisting the family with arrangements.