Arthur Kolrud

Arthur Leroy Kolrud, age 78, was born in Nome ND on November 2, 1932, to John and Anna (Fisher) Kolrud. He was the sixth of seven children. Art grew up in Nome attending grade school and later getting his GED diploma. Art often joked about his poverish up-bringing…eating lard sandwiches and wearing worn out shoes lined with newspaper to fill the holes in the soles. Art worked hard all his life to give his children a better life than he had and he succeeded…son Steven recalls never having to eat a lard sandwich. Along with working hard Art played hard, sister Norma recalls several incidents where Art got injured and required medical attention. He married Janice Libak in 1955, served in the U.S. Army in Germany 1956 to 1958 where there first child, Michael, was born. When returning from Germany they moved to Fargo ND where Art went to work at Firestone Tire Co. as a car and truck mechanic. Soon after came there second son Timothy. Another son would be born four years later named Steven. With a growing family, Art sought to further his career and education, He took a job with Red Owl Stores and study refrigeration. He worked for Red Owl (later became Ruan Trucking) as a refrigeration technician for 20 years. In 1989 Art married Rosella and soon retired but he wasn’t done working. He continued to work part time for friends Gene Jensen (Jensen Decorating) and Gordy Carlson (Vos and Carlson Construction.) Art liked deer hunting, fishing, and weekends at the lake cabin. He also enjoyed the company of friends in the garage sharing his humor while serving up fish, oysters, or liver. Art passed in his sleep while recovering from pneumonia at Manor Care rehabilitation center in Fargo, ND on November 11, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rosella (Wilt), two sons, Timothy of Fargo ND, and Steven of Minneapolis MN, granddaughter Miranda and husband Dustin Erickson, great-grandchildren Mataya and Cayne, Stepchildren, Joanne and husband Arden Lemley, Larry Freyholtz and wife Brenda, both of Fargo ND. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Kolrud (1978), mother Anna (Fisher) (1978), sister Ruth (Edmond) Baarstad (1985), and father John Kolrud (1986.) He is also survived by sister Norma Bratland of Fargo ND and brothers John and wife Arlene of Fargo ND, Earl of Monroe WA, Dale and wife Bernice, Harold and wife Doreen of Jamestown ND. Funeral: Monday, November 15, 2010, 11:00 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Sunday, November 14, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Followed by a Prayer Service at 5:00 PM. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.