Douglas Fontaine

Douglas Fontaine, 88, of Grand Forks, ND passed away March 31, 2010 at Altru Hospital. Doug was born August 13, 1921 in Dahlen, ND to Isadore and Frieda (Kelley) Fontaine. His family moved to Whitman, ND where he attended grade school and graduated from there in 1941. After graduating he was drafted into the military. He was very proud of having served his country and being a WWII veteran. Returning from the service he helped his parents on the farm and worked at the Johnson Store in Michigan, ND. He moved with his family to the Grand Forks area in 1951 and worked at Sears. On August 31, 1952 he married Theresa Hjelmstad in Lawton, ND. He graduated from Mayville State College with a degree in education. His first teaching job was at Lawton, ND where he taught junior high classes and coached boys and girls basketball. He moved from Lawton to Devils Lake to teach at the N.D. School for the Deaf. From Devils Lake he moved to Grand Forks and taught at South Junior High and Roosevelt School. He then moved his family to Lakota, ND to become the elementary principal. He later taught in Devils Lake and Egeland, ND. Doug's last 18 years of his career were spent at Four Winds High School as the junior high principal, senior high principal and Superintendent of Schools. He coached most of his teaching career and also officiated basketball. He took pride in starting a cross country program at Four Winds High School, starting with 3 runners and growing to nearly 60 runners in the program. As a result of his hard work and dedication, he was named North Dakota Cross Country Coach of the Year four times while at Four Winds High School. During this time he took runners to London, England to compete in a AAU Cross Country meet. Doug thoroughly enjoyed his years at Fort Toten. He operated a lawn service and painting business during the summer months. He loved having a nice lawn and flowers. After retiring in 1990 he worked at Columbia Mall on many special promotions and as Santa. He also worked for Triangle Bus Lines as a ticket agent. Before becoming ill in Oct. 2008 he was employed as a Wal-Mart greeter. He loved this job. Doug loved being with people and always had many stories and life experiences to share. The most important part of his life was his family. He was the eldest son in a family of 17 children. His daughter Rebecca and son Jeffery were a constant source of joy and pride for him. Doug is survived by: Wife: Terry Daughter: Rebecca (Keith) Ronkowski - Grand Forks Son: Jeffery Fontaine - Edinburg, TX Grandchildren: Ryan Ronkowski, Christopher Ronkowski, Callie Ronkowski all of Grand Forks; Amy (Derek) Olson of East Grand Forks. Great grandchildren: Madison Fontaine, Kassidy Fontaine, Baily Olson and Miley Olson. Brothers: Stanley Fontaine, Keith (Sandra) Fontaine and Glen (Marie) Fontaine. Sisters: Francis Ackerman, Hazel (Donald) Gunderson, Mavis (Owen) Woodard, Bonnie Roch, Joann Davis, Hope(Duane)Lembke and Nancy (Allen) Slominski. Sister-in-law: Irene Fontaine He was preceded in death by his parents, Isadore and Frieda; brothers, Isadore, Jr. and Delmore Fontaine; sisters, Florence Olson, Fern Harrison and Gloria Fontaine.