Bjarne R. Stousland

Bjarne Rangvald “BR” Stousland, age 94 of Fargo, North Dakota, formerly of Jamestown, North Dakota, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

Bjarne was born in Osakis, Minnesota on April 2, 1918 to Rev. Endre and Karen Stousland. He spent his childhood years living in: Herbert, Saskatchewan; Elizabeth, New Jersey; Oslo, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; and graduated from high school in Barton, North Dakota in 1936. He attended Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota graduating in 1940. Bjarne then enlisted and served as a meteorologist with the 1558 Army Air Forces Base Unit in the South Pacific and was Honorably Discharged on May 26, 1946. He returned to North Dakota and started his high school teaching career at Willow City. On July 10, 1949 Bjarne was married to Mildred “Midge” Semler. They moved to Garrison in 1957 and onto Jamestown in 1966 where he retired in 1983. Bjarne and Midge moved to Fargo in 2005 where they currently reside.

Bjarne is survived by Midge, his bride of 63 ½ years, his daughter Barb (Gary) Ransom, daughter-in-law Penny Stousland, son Mark (Ruthie), son Brian (Lora) and daughter Bettie (Tracey) Kensmoe. He is survived by twelve grandchildren: Chad Ransom, Dawn (Erik) Herford, Kyle (fiancé Jess) Ransom, Cory Stousland, Erin (Jesse) Sword, Bethany (Ryan) Kadun, Lon Stousland, Mick Stousland, Marie Stousland, Tyler Stousland, Lisa Stousland, Keegan Kensmoe, and four great grandchildren: Abi McCleary, Craig McCleary, Hannah Herford, Leighton Herford and foster great grandchild Benjamin. Bjarne is also survived by his brother Alf, who resides in Reno, Nevada.

Bjarne was preceded in death by his mother Karen (1962), his father Endre (1967), sisters Eldred (1989) and Emily (1998), and son David (2007).

Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 5-7PM with a prayer service following at 7PM at Edgewood Vista Chapel, 4440 37th Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 26, 2012 at Hope Lutheran Church, 2900 North Broadway, Fargo, North Dakota.

Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: The Gideons International, C/O Memorial Bible Chairman, Box 1573, Jamestown, ND 58402 or www.gideons.org

Bjarne's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm