Howard M. Wergeland passed away at Bethany on South University, Fargo,, ND, August 25, 2021, at the age of 95.
Howard Manfred Wergeland was born in Binford, ND, to Norwegian immigrants Halvor Nilsson Wergeland and Sophie Marie (Alfson) Wergeland on August 3, 1926. For several years he lived with the Kistler family in Grace City, ND. He attended schools in McHenry and Grace City, ND.
In 1944, at the age of 17, Howard enlisted in the United State Navy during World War II. He served as a Navy Medic until his honorable discharge in 1946.
In the fall of 1946 Howard enrolled at Valley City State College, Valley City, ND, and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He obtained his Masters Degree in Education at The University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. Howard completed post-graduate work at North Dakota State University, The University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Purdue University, and Stanford University.
On December 21, 1947, Howard married Marcell Schonberger in Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City, ND, at a double ceremony with her twin sister, Arzell and Charles Solheim. Their love story continued for 71 years.
Howard served as principal and/or superintendent at Gardner, ND, Newfolden, Hawley, Aitkin, and Moorhead, MN. He also left education for the insurance industry for a short while in Mankato, MN.
During his years in Moorhead, Howard was president of Moorhead Athletic Association, Lions, Phi Delta Kappa, Western Division Minnesota Secondary Principals Association, and Minnesota State Secondary Principals Association. Howard served as chairman of the Moorhead Planning Commission and was a member of the National Secondary Principals College Relations Committee and The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Church Council.
Howard and Marty enjoyed their years in Moorhead followed by their retirement years at Pelican Lake during the summers and Fountain of the Sun in Mesa, AZ, during the winters. They moved back to Moorhead in 2004 and then to The Linden Tree at Eventide. Marty died in November 2019 and in January 2021, Howard moved to Bethany Cedar Square skilled nursing on South University in Fargo.
Howard is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Diane, Pelican Lake, Detroit Lakes, MN; grandsons and spouses, Bryce and Teri, Deephaven, MN, Brett and Laura, West St. Paul, MN, and Blake and Mari, Oslo, Norway; great-grandsons, Harrison, Johannes, and August. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces and great nephews and great nieces.
Preceding Howard in death were his wife, Marcell; brothers, Nels (Lorene) Wergeland, Hjalmer (Mary) Wergeland; and sisters, Hardine (Glenn) Pratt and Lillian (Glen) Schlotman; several nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Ione and Vernal Anderson, Arzell and Charles Solheim, Dolly and Grant McKay, and Don Schonberger.
Memorials are encouraged to The Youth Fund at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, MN.
A Gathering of Family and Friends for Howard will begin at 10:00 AM, Thursday, September 2, 2021, followed by a Celebration of his Life at 11:00 AM, in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN, with Military Honors following the service. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN, at 2:30 PM, Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Howard’s Life Celebration will also be live-streamed, and the links can be found on his obituary page on the Korsmo Funeral Service website or the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd website. Masks will also be required, and provided if needed, for those in attendance.
Blessed be the memory of Howard M. Wergeland.
(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)
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