Gordon Semrau

Gordon Arland Semrau, 88, Grand Forks, ND, died Saturday, December 12, 2015 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks.   Gordon Arland Semrau was born July 21, 1927 near Balfour, ND, the son of J.B. and Ella (Buri) Semrau. He attended school at Balfour and Towner, ND, graduating from Towner High School in 1945. He later attended Minot State College. Gordon served in the U.S. Navy from May 10, 1945 until August 26, 1946. Gordon Semrau and Avis Nelson were united in marriage on July 28, 1949 at Norway Lutheran Church, near Denbigh, ND. They lived in Minot, ND and Dickinson, ND before moving to Grand Forks in 1978. Gordon was the manager of Job Service North Dakota offices in Dickinson and Grand Forks until he retired in 1984. He received the North Dakota Heritage Award for his numerous years of service in that position. He later took great pride in working at Ralph Engelstad Arena from 2001 to 2011, where he received the Outstanding Guest Service Employee of the Year Award. He also worked part time with his daughter at Anderson Appraisal in Grand Forks.   Gordon was an avid golfer, and played golf several times per week until age 85. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons, and spending time at Minnesota lakes. He was a lifetime member and past post commander of the American Legion in Dickinson and Grand Forks, as well as a lifetime member of DAV. Gordon was also a fifty-year member and past chairman of the International Association of Workforce Professionals.   Gordon is survived by his wife of 66 years, Avis, Grand Forks; three children, Marvin (Barbara) Semrau, Minot, ND, Wayne (Shelley) Semrau, Minot, ND, and Peggy (Randy) Boettner, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Chris (Roslynn) Semrau, Sioux Falls, SD, Amy (Stuart) Nostdahl, Minneapolis, MN, Zachary (Rachel) Boettner, Grand Forks, ND, Rachel Boettner, Vail, CO; great-grandchildren, Nora Semrau, Gordon Semrau, Quinn Nostdahl, and Simon Nostdahl; a sister, Elaine Hendrickson, Towner, ND; sister-in-law, Doris Nelson, Towner, ND; brother-in-law, Harold Chole, Springfield, MO; and several nieces and nephews.   He is preceded in death by his parents, J.B. and Ella Semrau; sisters, Ruth and Joanne; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Nelson, and Richard Hendrickson.   Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2015 in Sharon Lutheran Church, 1720 South 20th Street, Grand Forks, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church. Military Honors will be provided by the North Dakota Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Inurnment will be at a later date at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. Memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.