Vernon Botsford

Vernon Botsford, 96, Grand Forks, ND died Saturday, December 6, 2008 in Valley Memorial Home Woodside Village, Grand Forks. Vernon was born July 4, 1912 in Edinburg, ND the son of Clayton and Stella (McLean) Botsford. He was raised and educated in Walsh County, ND and graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy. Vernon initially worked as a farm manager for the Myra Foundation. In 1954, he co-founded Botsford and Rice, a land management, appraisal and farm real estate company. He worked there his entire career and also had farming interests in the Emerado and Thompson, ND areas. Vernon was a member of the Masons, The Kem Temple Shriners and was one of the oldest members of the East Grand Forks American Legion. He also enjoyed golf and curling. Vernon married Elaine Dvorak on November 20, 1943 in Moorhead, MN. She died February 6, 1998. Survivors include sons, James (Krista) Botsford, Wausau, WI and John (Dawn) Botsford, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Tenzin Botsford, Wausau, WI, Katelin Botsford, Milwaukee, WI and Tom Botsford, Ithaca, NY. Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his parents; a brother Russell.