Gordon Ness

Gordon Ness, age 83, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Thursday (April 16th) at the McIntosh Manor Nursing Home in McIntosh. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday (April 20th) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Fertile American Legion Post #238. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Gordon Roger Ness was born on September 19, 1925 in rural Erskine, Minnesota to parents August and Rosetta (Hesla) Ness. He grew up in the Erskine area and attended rural school. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.After briefly farming with his father, he enlisted in the United States Army from November of 1945 until he received his honorable discharge in May of 1947. After his military service, Gordon started work as a heavy equipment operator in McIntosh and Hibbing, Minnesota. In November of 1956, he began working for the Polk County Highway Department in the road maintenance division as a motor grader operator. On November 1, 1985 he retired after 29 years.He was united in marriage to Norma Elaine Kraft on October 7, 1950 at the home of Ingvald and Gunda Kraft in rural Erskine. Gordon and Norma also lived in Erskine, Fertile for over 25 years and since 1991, they have resided in McIntosh.Gordon was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Fertile American Legion Post #238, the school board, was a volunteer fireman for over 30 years in Beltrami and Fertile, the Crookston Blood Bank for over 30 years and many other church and community organizations.He loved his family, his children, grandchildren, and his extended family-the Kraft family.Gordon passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the McIntosh Manor Nursing Home at the age of 83 years.Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Norma of McIntosh; one son, Michael of West Fargo, ND; and one daughter, Nancy of St. Paul, MN; two grandsons, Adam and Alex, both of West Fargo; one sister, Pearl Trandem of Erskine; and sister-in-law, Judy Ness of Erskine. Nieces and nephews also survive.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alice and Mable; and three brothers, Glenn, Oscar and Royal.Honorary Pallbearers will be all those in attendance at the funeral serviceActive Pallbearers will be Art Lee, Gordy Erickson, Keith Gunderson, Scott Hanson, Lee Hoaas, Keith Sannes, Bernie Kaster and Joe Sandberg.