Olaf Kongsgaard Fossum

Olaf "Ole" K. Fossum, 99, passed away, Saturday, May 15, 2010, at his home in Grand Forks. Ole was born January 24, 1911, to Rev. Jens E. and Olga (Peterson) Fossum in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated high school from Oak Grove Seminary (Oak Grove Lutheran High School) and received a B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Ole married Bernice Antell on September 16, 1939 in Fargo, North Dakota. She died November 12, 1991. Ole served in the armed forces during World War II. Upon returning to Grand Forks he founded the State Finance Company located in the old Security Building downtown. He also opened offices in Minot, North Dakota and Billings, Montana. He sold the business in 1982 and retired. Ole was an avid outdoorsman and loved taking hunting and fishing trips with his friends George Gardner, Harris Lowe and Carlyle Sandstrom. He also was a lifetime member of the Grand Forks Country Club, golfing well into his 80's and had 6 hole-in-ones. Ole is survived by his three grandchildren, Michael Markus of Orange, CA; Timothy Markus of Tulsa, OK; and Michelle Perez of Escondido, CA; eight great grandchildren, Theresa, Steve, Daniel, Makenzie, Madison, Morgan, Savannah and Miranda; and one great- great granddaughter, Riley. Ole was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Bea; his daughter, Suzanne; and his siblings, Esther, Oyvin, Erling, Oscar, Jens, Leif and Valborg. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 11:00 AM in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd St., Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks.