Arvin K. Kvasager

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/CqEqghWulUg 

Arvin Kermith Kvasager, 95, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023, at Edgewood Memory Care in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where he had been a resident under the professional care of their staff and Ethos Hospice for 15 months. With family and Pastor Tom Colenso at his side, Arvin was smiling, humming hymns and squeezing hands of each of them as he slowly went to be with his love of his life, Iola.
Arvin was born April 21, 1927, the fifth of ten children born to Knute and Olga Kvasager (nee Anderson). The family lived in Grand Forks until a farm became available west of Manvel, North Dakota, where Arvin experienced the hard, rural reality of the 1930's depression. Attending a one-room school located two
miles away gave Arvin the thirst for reading. However, prior to finishing grade eight and at the age of 13, Arvin moved out of the household and went to work at a near-by farm for room and board. As a farm hand picking potatoes, he met and married the love of his life and anchor-of-strength, Iola Lebacken. After marriage, Arvin became a commercial truck driver and subsequently a dock foreman of a local trucking company.
In 1955 Arvin and Iola moved into a newly constructed home and became active in Redeemer Lutheran Church. They were instrumental in the missionary work of the church along with Clifford and Eloise Lieder, Marvel and Sylvia Benson, Ron and Mamie Vernon, and Orville and Faye Stokke, among others. Arvin became president of the congregation. As the labor movement became stronger, Arvin joined the Teamsters Union and became the business agent for local 581, located in Grand Forks. Arvin grew the reach of Local 581 to include portions of Minnesota and North Dakota. His public exposure associated him with political figures. Those figures included: Gov. Bill Guy, Senators Burdick, Conrad, Dorgan and Heitkamp and Congressman Pomeroy. Arvin took on membership and chairmanship of many board and commissions, including: North Dakota Milk Stabilization Board, Urban Renewal Commission, Grand Forks Housing and ultimately, Grand Forks County Commissioner. All these commitments were in addition to his day job with the Teamsters Union.
At age 55 Arvin retired from the Teamsters Union and turned his attention to starting a landscaping business with his brother-in-law: Duane Lebacken. After that business became successful they sold the equipment and business. Then, Arvin, along with another brother-in-law, Orlando
Lebacken, began a home remodeling business which thrived. Arvin loved to work and he loved to fish. His favorite fishing spots were Minnesota, Ontario and Alaska.
He will be missed by scores of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout North Dakota and the country. God Bless Arvin.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Iola; his parents, Knute and Olga Kvasager; his siblings, Annie, Theona Geatz, Ole, Elmer, Tam, Clayton, Betty and Janet Torgerson.
Arvin is survived by his daughter, Marlys Kvasager of Denver, Colorado; son, Darrell Kvasager and Linda Osland of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; granddaughter, Whitney (Russ) Wimbish, Brooklyn, New York; and a sister, Lois Cariveau, East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
Visitation will be April 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at University Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, followed by the service at 2 PM. Luncheon will be served after the service and military honor guard. Memorials may be sent to University Lutheran Church, Youth Ministry in Arvin's name.