Charles Arthur Sortland

Charles Arthur Sortland (age 86) of Fargo, ND (formerly Litchville, ND) passed away August 7, 2016 at Elim Rehab and Care Center, Fargo, ND. Charles was born April 30, 1930 in Valley City, ND to Arthur and Marie (Berge) Sortland. He attended Svea Consolidated School, graduating as Valedictorian in 1948. He took agriculture classes through NDSU. Charles served in the United States Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged on January 9, 1959, serving 8 years. He was quite a prankster as a child and enjoyed putting fire crackers in cow pies and watching the results. Charles met his future wife, Carol, at Community Lanes in Litchville. They were married July 14, 1962. They built a new home on the Sortland family farm where they continued to reside until a few years ago. Charles worked alongside his father on the farm and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. Each summer, he took the family on a vacation to various locations across the country. He was a gifted piano player, playing entirely by ear. Being a diehard Norwegian, Charles always enjoyed family Christmas gatherings where he and several other family members enjoyed the delicacy of lutefisk. He was a member of the Soil Conservation District and served on the board of the Barnes County Farm Bureau from 1976-1982. He was also a member of Elim Evangelical Free Church, rural Litchville. Charles served as clerk for the Svea Township Board for many years, and he served on the Marion Equity Elevator Board. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol, of Fargo, 4 daughters: Yvonne (Brice) Stegner of Amidon and their children Maren, Kara, Kjersten, Levi, and Eve; Karen (Curt) Erickson of Davenport and their children Alexandra and Madison; Robin (Lynn) Jensen of Claremont, SD and their children Kayla and Abigail; and Tanya (Darin) Leick of Valley City and their children Noah and Maisie. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister who passed away at birth. The funeral service for Charles will be 1 pm Monday, August 15 at Riverbend Farm Chapel, rural Valley City. Burial will be in the Elim Cemetery, rural Litchville. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Elim Evangelical Free Church Cemetery, Elim Care or Cooperstown Bible Camp. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Sheyenne Crossings-Prairie Square, Elim Rehab and Care Center, and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the friendship and care provided to Charles and his family over the past years. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com

Charles Arthur Sortland

April 30, 1930 - August 7, 2016