Joseph Iverson
Joseph Iverson, 90, of Williston, N.D., died Friday evening, Jan. 9, 2015, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston.
Joseph was born on Mar. 3, 1924, to Peder and Olla (Hoff) Iverson, on their farm in Farland Township in McKenzie County, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Joe went to Farland Grade School, and had two years of high school in Watford City, North Dakota. He had to quit school to help his dad farm, as his three brothers were in the service. He talked much about the first tractor his dad had bought. When he was 14, Joe would drive the tractor, and his father would stay with the horses. He loved harvest time because he could help haul bundles with the threshing crew with his sidekick, Vernon Skari. Vernon insisted his twin sister, Verna Skari, go out with Joe; she did, and they married Oct. 9, 1945. To this union, they had four children, David, Dianne, Dean and Deanna. They also raised a foster son, Carlyle (Mike) Mikkelson.
Joe farmed in the Farland Township for forty years. He then went to heavy equipment operator school in Weiser, Idaho, where he learned to run the motor grader. He worked as a “blade operator” up into his 70s. He was well-known for his skill as a finish blade operator. He worked for McKenzie County, Williams County, and for road construction companies in Montana and all over North Dakota, until he retired. His skill as a finish blade operator was known all over the state. Joe also had a trucking and construction company.
After retirement, he spent many hours taking care of the flowers at Western Dakota Medical Group. He received many compliments for the beautiful flowers. Joe’s Saviour meant a lot to him. He set an example wherever he went. He served as Secretary, Deacon, choir member, and Sunday school teacher in the three churches to which he belonged. He was in The Over 50 Club, and helped to start the New Year’s Eve supper at Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed wood-working, threshing shows, and reminiscing about the old days on the farm.
Joe will be remembered as a quiet person; always smiling and never complaining. He liked to play practical jokes on unsuspecting victims from time-to-time on both family and co-workers.
He is survived by his wife, Verna; his sons, David (Tina) Iverson of Ballantine, Mont., and Reverend Dean Iverson of Ferndale, Wash.; daughter, Deanna Iverson (Art Lopez ) of San Jose, Calif.; grandchildren, Hal (Tiffany) Iverson of Miles City, Mont., Michael (Raelyn) Iverson of Arnegard, N.D., Susan Jo (Terry) Rivers of Maple Grove, Minn.; Tim Lopez of Saratoga, Calif., Matt (Kim) Lopez of Escondido, Calif., Nicole (Nick) Fister of Kalispell, Mont.; thirteen great-grandchildren, Mikhala and Teagan Rivers, Paiten Iverson, Hannah and Johnny Iverson, Brittany, Ashley, Mark and Christine Lopez, Tyler and Christina Fister, and Michael and Autumn Bruch; and one great, great-grandchild, Kail Fister.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Dianne Iverson; daughter-in-law, Eileen Iverson; parents, Peder and Olla Iverson; brothers, Edvin, Philip, and Norman Iverson; and sisters, Myrtle Wold and Ruth Carns.
Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church Deacons Fund, Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Pineview) or a charity of your choice.
Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Williston, N.D., on Friday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., and at the church one hour prior to services.
His funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at the Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church in Williston. Pastor Jon Wellumson will officiate and burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Williston. Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com