Boyd Marvin Fiske

Boyd Marvin Fiske, 79, Fargo, ND, passed away December 11, 2014 at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo. Boyd was born January 7, 1935 to John and Gertie (Hammer) Fiske in Colfax, ND. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church, and graduated in 1952 from Colfax High School. He attended NDSCS Wahpeton where he studied accounting and auto mechanics, and worked construction with Narvin Narveson for 2 years in the Colfax area.

On October 8, 1955, Boyd married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Johnson, at Richland Lutheran Church, rural Walcott, ND. They moved to Fargo in 1956, and Boyd worked 18 years for Melvin Skarphol of Twin City Construction. In the beginning, Boyd did general construction duties but was quickly noticed as a gifted and talented carpenter. He was a framer, a finish carpenter, oversaw the cabinet shop, and the foreman of the framing crew. He then became housing superintendent, and was in charge of approximately 25 homes a year and 45 subcontractors. In 1974, he started Boyd Fiske Construction. For another 25 years, Boyd continued to build quality custom homes in the Fargo area, and his reputation as a superb craftsman and honest businessman continued. He showed detail and pride in every home he built, and cared genuinely about each new home owner. Boyd retired in 1999 when he turned the business over to his two sons, Gary and Keith Fiske, but he continued to show up on site with his tool belt, hammer and nails, and offer advice. Boyd never truly retired and his passion, knowledge, and his gift of building will be a legacy that lives on through his children.

Boyd was an active member of Elim Lutheran Church since 1956 where he served as an usher and on the church council. He was a member of the Sons of Norway since 1977, and the Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead. In 1968, he built his vacation lake home on Lake Eunice in Audubon, MN, and enjoyed his weekends with quality family time away from work and the telephone. As a Team Maker, he was a long time supporter of NDSU athletics and hardly missed a boys and girls basketball game or football game. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, and he enjoyed deer hunting. He was a loving family man, and you could tell how much he enjoyed being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, by the twinkle in his eye whenever they were around. Most of all, he will be remembered for his gentle soul and nature, and how he showed kindness to everyone he met.

Boyd will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Elaine, Fargo, ND; four children: Brenda (Lee) Paseka, Gary (Mary) Fiske, Keith (Karen) Fiske, and Valerie (David Blasczyk) all Fargo; nine grandchildren: Heather (Joe) Klein, St. Louis, MO, John Paseka, Fargo, Kristin Wendt, Williston, ND, Andrew, Taylor, and Sarah Fiske, Fargo, Jacoby, Rachel, and Ashlyn Blasczyk, Fargo; three great-grandchildren: Decker and Denli Wendt, Williston, ND, and Alex Klein, St. Louis, MO. Other survivors are nephews Micah Fiske, Bismarck, ND, and Matthew Fiske, Ramsey, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertie Fiske, and brother and sister-in-law, James and Janice Fiske.

To view Boyd's Tribute Video visit www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm