Gary Kappedal

Due to forecasted weather conditions on Friday, the evening visitation planned for Friday has been cancelled. Visitation will instead be held from Noon until the time of service (2:00 p.m.) at the funeral home on Saturday only.Gary Kappedal, age 69, of Lengby, MN, passed away on Saturday, January 11th, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with Pastor Mark Erickson officiating. Interment will be in the Lengby City Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be held for two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com. Gary Allen Kappedal was born on February 5th, 1950 in Fosston, MN to Berendt and EarlaMae Kappedal. Gary attended grade school in Lengby, MN, graduated from 8th grade and attended high school in Fosston.As a teenager, Gary worked as a logger for Harold Abeldgaard. In 1968, he was employed with the United States Steel Corporation and sailed the Great Lakes as a merchant marine. He worked on the Great Lakes steamships, first as a Deckhand, later as a Porter, a Wiper, and in his final years as an Oiler.In the summer of 1973, he quit sailing and began working at the J.R. Simplot Potato Plant in Fosston as a Steam Engineer. Over the years, Gary owned and operated D-7 and D-8 Caterpillar's. He also worked at Crystal Sugar in Crookston, MN, the Land ‘O' Lakes plant and the Polk County Incinerator in Fosston as a Steam Engineer for many years. During his career as a Steam Engineer, he acquired his Chief Steam Engineer license that he was very proud of. Gary worked his final job as a Machinist at TEAM Industries in Bagley, MN until his retirement.Gary was united in marriage to Connie Nesvold, September 11th, 1976 and became a stepdad to Leslie Nesvold. On February 26th, 1983, their daughter Patti was born. Gary and Connie were separated for many years and divorced in 2001. They remained friends throughout the remainder of his life. Gary took a liking to Connie's son Jeremiah Kappedal whom he looked at as another son.Gary enjoyed going for walks, attending the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion and the Lake Itasca Pioneer Farmers Show, the history of the Titanic and Edmund Fitzgerald, going to the harbor in Duluth, MN, telling stories of his past, scrolling Facebook and sharing emails. He also had a passion for steam powered machinery that included steam traction engines, locomotives, and ore ships. Over the years, Gary had an array of different hobbies. He was very knowledgeable and good at fabrication and restoration of many things, woodworking, drawing funny cartoons of people, etc. He handcrafted a miniature steam powered traction engine that was fully functional and took many years to complete. Gary was known to be friendly and generous to everyone. He enjoyed visiting family and friends, and would often treat them with different kinds of goodies whenever he saw them. He loved to visit Patti either at her home or at her work where they would enjoy a cup of coffee and good conversation. He also loved spending time with Piper whom he would always call his favorite granddaughter. He taught her how to say, "You Betcha!" and would laugh every time she said it back. Gary is survived by his daughter Patti Kappedal (James Johnson) of Waubun, MN, stepchild Daisy Nesvold (formerly known as Leslie) of Fargo, ND, brothers Richard (Sharon) Kappedal of Fosston, MN, Berendt "Junior" (Diane) Kappedal of Lengby, MN, Carl (Anita) Kappedal of Fosston, MN, one sister JoAnn (Ray) Aiken of Superior, WI, granddaughter Piper Johnson; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents Karl and Sarah Kappedal, William and Mabel Palmer, parents Berendt and EarlaMae Kappedal, brother Patrick Kappedal, and sister-in-law Sharon Kappedal.

Visitation

Saturday, January 18, 2020 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Carlin Funeral Home-Erskine
326 Vance Ave. S. Erskine 56535, United States

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 18, 2020 2:00 PM
Carlin Funeral Home-Erskine
326 Vance Ave. S. Erskine 56535, United States