John D. Eliason

John David Eliason was born on June 21, 1926, near Appleton, MN, and died on October 8, 2008, at Waverly Gardens Care Center, North Oaks, MN. He spent his childhood on his parents' farm, growing up with three brothers and one sister. He graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo in 1945 and attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis. In 1950 he married Marjorie Ann Haley of Herman, MN. For most of his working years he was a real estate salesman with Twin City Construction of Fargo. He also worked as a real estate appraiser for Metropolitan Federal Bank for seven years, and later ran his own appraisal office.
Church and community were always important in his life. He was an active member of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church and served two terms as congregational chairman. He served for ten years on the Board of Regents for Oak Grove Lutheran High School, seven as chairman. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Bethany Homes and as chairman of that board, and on the board of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Mr. Eliason was an active member of Kringen Lodge, Sons of Norway in Fargo and was president for two terms.
John was an accomplished builder and woodworker. He built a house in West Fargo where he and Marjorie lived early in their married life. Over the years he also built decks, patios, and many other home improvement projects, as well as smaller items such as toys for his grandchildren. His other hobbies included gardening, fishing, grilling and crossword puzzles. He was an avid reader, particularly of U.S. history.
Mr. Eliason was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was always first in his mind and he never stopped caring for or helping his children, grandchildren, and other family members. His happiest moments were times spent surrounded by them.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; son, John Barry (Sandra) of New Brighton, MN; daughter, Patricia Ann of Minneapolis; son, Randall Dean (Cherie Kiser) of McLean, VA; and daughter, Margaret Jean Robertsen (Steve) of Silver Bay, MN; seven grandchildren, April Cedillo (Antonio); Robyn (Daniel Burgos); Laura (Lauren Jung); Siddiiqee Fufa; Nathaniel and Sonja Eliason; and Alexander Robertsen; and two great-grandchildren, Sofia Cedillo and Danny Burgos. He is also survived by his brothers, Carl of North Branch, MN, and Alan of Prescott, AZ. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Ray Allan; a sister, Olga Schulte; and a brother, Harry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, 309 4th St N, Fargo ND 58102, for their stained glass window fund.
Visitation: Sunday, from 6 PM to 8 PM, with at prayer service at 7:30 PM,
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN

Funeral service: Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, at 10:30 AM,
Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo