John Niemi

John Niemi, 70, of Fargo, died January 15, 2009 at his home in Fargo, ND. John was born July 20, 1938 and lived the first part of his life at the Grafton State School. In 1982, John moved to Fargo, ND where he lived at the Svee Home. The Svee Home and the Community Survivor Program prepared John to live independently. John moved to 206 Broadway in downtown Fargo where he met many friends and become a fixture. John worked many different custodial jobs including Peace Lutheran Church, most recently at Billiards on Broadway, where he took great pride in his work. Twenty years ago John was blessed to find out he had a sister Dorine, who lived in Sparaway, WA. He took many bus trips to be with family, which is where John got to experience his first birthday party and decorate his first Christmas tree. Dorine had 6 children, 13 grandchildren and a palmeranion named Sunday who John loved very much. John was a socialite, and considered himself the greeter at Billiards, where he also was a proud member of the Jack Daniels pool team. Business owners and employees downtown were all on a first name basis. He enjoyed current events, church, and sports, his favorite team being Minnesota’s opponent. John had a great zest for life and will be missed by many. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Helma Niemi, brother-in-law, Rudy Wentz. He is survived by his sister Dorine Wentz, 6 nieces and nephews, Wayne, Wade, Warren, Wesley, Wanda and Winona; 13 great-nieces and nephews and ten great-great-nieces and nephews and many friends. Memorial Service: 4pm, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Inurnment: Springvale Cemetery, Fargo, ND. (at a later date)