Cecil Fossen

October 6, 1933 - December 2, 2011

Cecil Robert Fossen was born on October 6, 1933 in Lancaster, MN, the son of John O. and Mary O. (Gorthy) Fossen. As a boy, he and his family moved near Fingal, ND. He graduated from Fingal High School in 1951. Before he entered the Army, Cecil helped his father on the farm as well as working in California. On October 3, 1957, Cecil joined the US Army and served in Germany. July 2, 1959, he was honorably discharged and returned to Fingal where he continued farming with his father. Cecil married Catherine Steidl on November 25, 1965 in Fingal. They made their home on the farm near Fingal. He became the third generation to farm their land. In addition to farming, he was a substitute mail carrier for many years. Cecil and Cathy retired in 1991. She died August 16, 2006. Cecil remained on the farm until the time of his death. He was a farm toy collector and enjoyed going to auctions. He attended many steam threshing events. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. Cecil was currently serving on the Binghamton Township Board. He was a member of the AmVets and Sad Sacks. Cecil died at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND on December 2, 2011 under palliative care. He is survived by his daughters, Mary (Mike) Peterson of Nome, ND and Kim (Rob) Olson of Mapleton, ND; grandchildren, Johnathon and Kristen Peterson, Aaron, Connor, and Lucas Olson; a brother, Russell (Liz) Fossen of Richfield, MN; a sister, Lorraine Anderson of Enderlin, ND; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Cal; and sister, Joyce Larson.