November 18, 2014

Donald Bleed

Donald E. Bleed, 88 of Fargo, N.D., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D.
Donald was born on the family farm near Estes Brook, Minn., on Oct. 6, 1926, to Axel and Hulda (Nelson) Bleed, the oldest of seven children. Don attended school at District 7 in Estes Brook.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1944, serving in the Philippines and on Guam, returning to the US in 1946. After his discharge, Don and his brother moved to the York area of North Dakota, finding jobs in farming.  While there, Don met Susan Judd of Cando, N.D., whom he married on Sept. 3, 1950.  They moved to Ray, N.D., in 1953, where he began driving truck in the oil fields of western North Dakota.  They lived briefly in New Town and then moved to Keene, N.D., in 1955 where he purchased the Esso (Exxon) service station and served the community for over 20 years. For a number of years, he also served as the town’s fire chief.  While in western North Dakota, Don enjoyed camping with family, hunting, fishing, square dancing, bowling and working on old cars.
In 1979, they moved to Casselton, N.D., and Don went to work for Northern Improvement Company. In 1988, Don began working on Gary Hoglund’s farm south of Casselton, N.D., driving farm implements and grain trucks until he retired in 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Bonnie Jo Kelley and son-in-law, Neal Kelley; brothers, Wesley, James and Charles Bleed; sister, Betty Thompson; brothers-in-law, Earl Judd and Doug Thompson and sister-in-law, Daisy Bleed.
Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Susan; daughters, Donna (Ronald) Walz and Kathie (Blake) Strehlow, all of Fargo; five grandchildren, Marissa (Brian) Fulkerson of Rogers, Minn., Khris (Rachael) Walz of Minot, N.D., Erica (Timothy) Lander of Cabot, Ark., Mitch (Arica) Strehlow and Collin Strehlow, both of Fargo, N.D. Don was also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren and one  great-great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D., with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the church.
Donald’s final resting place will be the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, N.D.
Condolences may be made online at www.westfuneralhome.com
 

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