Gary Allen Narum

Dr. Gary Narum (82), Fargo, ND died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Eventide Fargo Care Center.

Gary Allen Narum was born in Britton, SD on April 21, 1942. He received his elementary and secondary education in the public schools in Rutland, ND where he grew up. He earned an associate degree from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and a bachelor of science degree from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 1964. He received his master of science degree in counseling psychology in 1967 from Purdue University and his doctorate degree in counseling was conferred in 1969 from the University of Wyoming. He taught secondary English and history in Rawlins, WY and served as a senior high school counselor in Laramie, WY prior to joining NDSU as a counselor and Assistant Professor in 1969. Before retiring in 2005, he was promoted to positions of Associate Professor and Director of the University Counseling Center, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, and Wellness Center Director. During his 36-year tenure at North Dakota State University, he served on and chaired numerous committees and provided professional leadership to the University and to the state. He was instrumental in providing direction and oversight to several campus student affairs units. He advised and provided leadership to the NDSU student committee which developed and planned what would become the Wallman Wellness Center. At the 2007 dedication of the Wellness Center, Dr. Narum was recognized by the University when the Narum Atrium was named in his honor. During his career, he was active in several professional, academic, and social organizations. He was a member of many counseling associations and served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fargo-Moorhead.

Gary had many outside interests including hunting, fishing, hiking, landscaping, fitness, and construction. He enjoyed time spent with friends and family - especially at his Minnesota home on Bad Medicine Lake. The lake home was his ongoing passion project that he designed and built from the ground up. Gary was very active in the Minnesota Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North Country Trail Association by serving as a board member and by volunteering his time maintaining trails and building trail structures.

Gary is survived by his daughter, Amy Narum (Kim VanGuilder); son-in-law, Tom (Doreen) Farrell; granddaughter, Alyssa Farrell; nephew, Rod (Brenda) Romereim; great-nieces, Brandi (Kaitlynn) Romereim and Jaylyn (Ethan) LaPlante; and his special friend, Ann Toulouse. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin (Narum) Farrell; sister, Corrine (Narum) Romereim; brother-in-law, Albert Romereim; father, Edgar Narum; mother, Hilda (Hermanson) Narum Mathieu Giske; and two stepfathers, Byron Mathieu and Ben Giske.

A celebration of life for Dr. Gary Narum will be held later in the spring or summer.

Memorials may be made to the Dr. Gary Narum Endowed Scholarship Fund at the NDSU Foundation, P.O. Box 5144, Fargo, ND, 58105-5144. Please include mention of the Dr. Gary Narum Endowed Scholarship with your donation.

Gary's family would like to thank: Ethos Hospice for the compassion and respect given during his final days, all the nursing staff and therapists at the Eventide Fargo Care Center for the support and dedication provided during his stay there, and all the staff and friends he met at the Eventide Fargo Senior Living Apartments. Although he was a resident for a short time, he truly loved being part of the Eventide community.