John W. Achttien

John Achttien, 88, of Moorhead, MN, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 19, 2015, at 2 PM, in The Lutheran Church of Christ the King, located at 1900 14th Street South, Moorhead. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

John was born, the son of Jacob Achttein and Lora (Allen) Achttien, on September, 17, 1927, at Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. He was raised and attended schools in ND. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on June 6, 1945, where he served until 1946.

John enrolled in the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and graduated in 1950, with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. John went on to become Bank Examiner, serving the 9th Federal (Reserve) District in the states of MT, ND and MN. He became a CLU registered Stock Broker and later became manager in Prudential Life Insurance Company in Fargo. He was a past member of the Masonic Lodge and the El Zagal Shrine of Fargo and a life member of American Legion and Elks of Fargo.

John married Victoria Johnson in 1952. Vicky and John had five children.

John worked as retirement planner with Valic, serving professionals and large companies up until his retirement in 1986. John married Charlotte Wiger, whom he loved very much, on March 25, 1988, at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. John was an avid golfer and loved playing the Hawley golf course in the summers. He also enjoyed playing golf year round in Meadow Lakes, TX, where John and Char lived for many years. John was an avid reader and an excellent dancer in a reserved and humble way. He loved his church, family and friends. He was a wonderful husband. Prayer and praise to God was a daily life in John and Char's home. We thank God for having him so long. Bless his memory. His hands were folded in prayer as family watched him pass on.

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Violet (Melvin) Peterson; brother, Earl; nephew, David Peterson; nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

John is survived by his wife, Charlotte "Char", Moorhead; five children, Julie (Chris) Hansen, Woodland, WA, Kristel (Mike) Gutierrez, Scottsdale, AZ, Michelle Klym, Portland, OR, Jay (Carla) Achttien, Lino Lakes, MN, and Joni (Dan) Binman, North St. Paul, MN; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren.

Also, his two stepchildren, Debra Geraghty (James Stevena), Reno, NV, and Chuck (Scarlett) Wiger, Moorhead; and five stepgrandchildren; siblings, Donald Achttien, Houston, TX, and Carol (Duane) Knutson, Colorado Springs, CO.

Thank you to all who have had contact with him. Pastor Matt Valan, Pastor Aaron and all of the staff, nurses and doctors at Sanford Health in Fargo.