Dean L. Karges

Dean L. Karges, 80, Oriska, ND, died on September 23, 2017, following an eleven-week stay at Farmstead Care, an Assisted Living and Memory Care facility, in Moorhead, MN. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 29, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Valley City, ND. Reverend Allen Gerber and Reverend Les Koenig will officiate, with the burial following at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Those interested in personally extending their condolences are invited to a visitation, Thursday September 28, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Valley City with a prayer service following at 7:00 PM. Visitation will be extended at the church, beginning one hour before the Friday morning service. Dean LeRoy Karges was born September 1, 1937 in Hazen, ND, to Agustina “Gustie” (Engbrecht) and Frank Karges. The family lived in western ND until they purchased a farm near Oriska, ND, in 1946. Dean graduated from Pillsbury High School, Pillsbury, ND, in 1955 where he was active in basketball and track. In 1956, Dean attended Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN, graduating with a Bible major in 1959. He studied at Valley City State University (VCSU) and transferred to the University of Northwestern – St. Paul in Minnesota before he was drafted into the United States Army. Dean served from December 2, 1960 to November 10, 1962 at Fort Ord in California and Bamberg, Germany in the 3rd Infantry Division as an armed personnel carrier driver. While in Germany, Dean traveled around Europe with his good friend from the Army, Posey Baliles, Jr., to England, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Austria. Dean met Lynnette “Lynn” (Lindgren) at a youth gathering after both were invited by Lynn’s sister, Marilyn. Later, Dean asked if he could write to Lynn while he was serving in Germany. When his time in the service was completed, Dean and Lynn were married on October 5, 1963. They farmed with Dean’s parents near Oriska, ND, while he also continued with his education, receiving his B.S. in Education from Valley City State University (VCSU) in 1970 and his Master of Science from the University of North Dakota (Accounting and Business Law) in 1972. After being recruited by Dr. John Keller, Dean taught accounting courses at VCSU for 35 years, from the fall of 1972 through the spring of 2007. He was granted Faculty Emeritus status in May 2007 and awarded a Certificate of Merit from the VCSU Alumni Association in September 2007. Dean and Lynn were involved as leaders with various campus ministries during this time. In addition to teaching, Dean also farmed until 2014 and enjoyed the camaraderie that farming brought with the neighbors. Family, friends, and neighbors were important to Dean, and he enjoyed visiting, sharing meals, and pulling occasional pranks. Dean was active in the community and served as a school board member for twelve years at the Oriska Public School. He and Lynn enjoyed attending their children’s and grandchildren’s music and sporting events over the years. Dean’s grandchildren were the light of his life, and he appreciated their visits, hugs, stories, and sharing sweet treats. Dean loved traveling, and enjoyed many family trips around the United States and Canada, including winter skiing in the mountains. He preferred driving over flying and felt vehicles were just getting “broken in” when they reached 100,000 miles. Dean was an active member of First Baptist Church in Valley City, ND, for around 60 years where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Moderator, and assisted with auditing the financial records. Dean’s legacy is his strong faith, spiritual mentoring, wisdom, consistent prayers, listening ear, and giving heart. Dean is survived by his wife, Lynnette; a daughter, Joy Karges of Sioux Falls, SD, (Robert Brown of Indianapolis, IN); a son, Blair (Stephani) Karges of Oriska, ND; and three grandchildren, Rylie, Grady, and Ellah Karges of Oriska. Dean is also survived by two sisters, Bonnie (Lloyd) Allen of Bemidji, MN, and Nita (Richard) Papworth of Hillsboro, OR; four nieces: Ruth (Robert) Peterson of Pharr, TX; Nicole Nelson of Oak Park Heights, MN; Melanie (Peter) Mead of Chippenham, England; Amy (Daniel) Hickman of Hillsboro OR; a nephew, Nathan Nelson of Williston, ND; as well as eleven grand-nieces and five grand-nephews. Dean is also survived by an aunt, Joann Engbrecht, of Hamilton, MT, and several cousins. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Gustie on November 21, 1997, and Frank on September 17, 2002. Memorials may be directed to Samaritan’s Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/).

Dean L. Karges

September 1, 1937 - September 23, 2017