Dennis Page

Dennis Norman Page, age 67, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2008, at his beloved lake home in Tainter, Wisconsin while enjoying time with family. Dennis Page was born April 20, 1941 to parents John and Olga Page of Bismarck, ND. Loving family members, missing Dennis dearly, include his wife Connie Page of Grand Forks, ND, his mother Olga Page of Bismarck, ND, his daughter Denise Wood and her husband James Wood of North Oaks, MN, his daughter Mandee Page and her husband Brett Knappe of Minneapolis, MN, his brother David and wife Elsie Page of Lakeville, MN, his brother John and wife Lucy Page of Fergus Falls, MN, and his beloved grandchildren John Wood, Nicholas Wood and Page Wood. Dennis was preceded in death by his father John Page, his son Scott Page and his brother Bruce Page. Dennis graduated from Gardar Highschool, ND in 1959 where he excelled in sports and continued playing basketball into his college years. He was first employed at the Fargo Public Library where he worked for five years after earning his Bachelor of Arts from Mayville State University. Through work at the Fargo Public Library, Dennis discovered his love for Library Science. As a result, Dennis entered graduate school at the University of Denver and completed his Master's Degree in Library Science. He then accepted the position of Director at the Grand Forks Public Library. For the next 40 years, Dennis dedicated his life to building a new library and transitioning from the card catalog to the automated system we know today. Dennis consistently upgraded and added computers and equipment to meet public needs. Dennis contributed to the efforts of many civic and professional organizations. Beginning in 1965 until his passing, Dennis was an active member of the North Dakota Library Association Executive Board. Dennis also served as NDLA Secretary in 1968, Legislative Committee Chairman in 1974, and President of NDLA during 1976-1977. He chaired the Public Library Planning Committee during 1986-1988 which published the North Dakota Public Library Manual in 1988. He was a member of the Library Study Steering Committee in 1995. In 1997, Dennis earned the high honor of North Dakota's Librarian of the Year award. He was a member of ND Library Coordinating Council in 1998. Additionally, Dennis was a member of the Mountain Plains Library Association, American Library Association and North Dakota Library Vision. Dennis further served as ALA Councilor for the North Dakota Library Association. Dennis served as a member of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce and Grand Forks Exchange Club. He also served as president of the Grand Forks Franklin Club. Dennis and his wife Connie participated as members of Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. As well as loving his career as director of the Grand Forks Public Library, Dennis loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren at their lake home in Wisconsin. Dennis spent as much time as possible creating a wonderful lake haven for family and friends to congregate. In honor of Dennis Page's persistent, on-going dedication to make computers and printed publications accessible to every member of the public, the family requests that memorials be made to: Friends of the Grand Forks Public Library, 2210 Library Circle, Grand Forks, ND 58201.