J. Allan Nygaard, 91, of Big Falls, Minn., died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Littlefork Medical Center, Littlefork, Minn.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at Evangelical Covenant Church, Big Falls, with Pastor Tom Winkelman officiating.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Full military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 494 of Big Falls and the Minnesota Army National Guard.
Pallbearers will be Dan Hoskins, Bruce Polkinghorne, Ken Henrickson, Tom Boes, Dick Boes and Ken Warner.
Interment will be at American Legion Cemetery, Big Falls, at a later date.
Allan was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Thief River Falls, Minn., the son of Soren and Agnes (Rasmussen) Nygaard.
He attended schools in Thief River Falls, Grygla and Goodridge.
After graduating from Goodridge High School in 1938, he attended Crookston Agricultural School for a year.
He entered the United States Navy Nov. 22, 1944, and served stateside during World War II. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman First Class on April 5, 1946.
He was united in marriage to D. Lorraine Dahlen on Aug. 22, 1952, in International Falls, Minn.
They made their home in Big Falls, raised three children, and have resided there since.
He was a self employed woods worker and pulpwood producer most his life retiring in 1992 from logging. He then worked for Hufnagle Forest Products in Big Falls for about 10 years.
Allan was active in community service and served as a North Star Electric Director for 17 years, was a past Big Falls City Council member, served on the Big Falls School Board for 12 years, was a member of American Legion Post 494 in Big Falls for 64 years, was a supervisor for Halvorson trees, was a member of the Big Falls Senior’s Club, served as a Boy Scout leader, and was a past member of the Masonic Lodge in International Falls.
Alan was an avid gardener and took pride in being the first to have his garden planted each year.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family. Just last year he fished salmon in Alaska with one of his sons.
He enjoyed hunting. His son from Washington returned each year and they hunted deer, sometimes without success. He and his daughter Terri liked the outdoors and bird hunted together.
He had a strong work ethic which he has passed on to his children.
In his later years he developed an interest in reading and the Minnesota Twins.
Loving family members include his wife of 60 years, D. Lorraine Nygaard of Big Falls; a daughter, Terri Nygaard of Minneapolis, Minn.; two sons, Jim (Louella) Nygaard of Billings, Mont., and Ken (Julie) Nygaard of Ridgefield, Wash.; four grandchildren, Melissa (Chase) Fisher of Hardin, Mont., Jameson Nygaard of Billings, Mont., Zachary Nygaard and Joshua Nygaard, both of Ridgefield, Wash.; two great grandchildren, Ashlyn Nygaard of Billings, Mont., and Blaine Fisher of Hardin, Mont.; several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and a special friend, Shirley Davis.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Soren and Agnes Nygaard; a sister, Adeline Swanson; and a brother, Lawrence Nygaard.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Cease Family Funeral Home, Blackduck, Minn.
