Joel D. Midgarden, age 78 of Park River, ND passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.
Joel David Midgarden was born February 14, 1943 in Grafton, ND the son of the late Christopher and Evelyn (Jamieson) Midgarden. He attended school in rural Hoople and graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River. He later attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Following his education he returned home and farmed with his cousins at the Midgarden Potato Company. Joel was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Janet Hall on April 12, 1964 in Park River, ND. The couple made their home in rural Hoople. Joel retired from Midgarden Potato Company after 32 years. Shortly after retiring from farming, he began work at Harriston Industries, promoting agricultural equipment. The career at Harriston embraced his love of agriculture, travel, ingenuity and fostering friendships all around the world. He retired from there in 2005. In 2006 the couple moved to Park River, ND where he took care of his wife and enjoyed retirement as best as he could. Janet passed away on July 13, 2011. Joel suffered a massive stroke in 2012 and moved into the Park River Good Samaritan Center where he lived until his death.
Joel was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople, the Hillcrest Golf County Club in Park River, and the Walsh County Curling Club. He served on the Board of Directors for several organizations. He was one of the founding investors in the Alexander House and Park River Good Samaritan Center. He was known for his fast wit, kindness and generosity. Although in his final years Joel required care from others, he spent a great deal of his lifetime caring for people including his brother, sister, parents, mother-in-law and his beloved wife, Janet.
Joel is survived by his daughters: Nicole (Randy) Dub, Horace, ND; Barbara (Brian) Marks, Olivia, MN; grandchildren: Elizabeth Dub (Trevor Sundquist), Alexandra Dub (fiancé Andrew Sather), Samuel Marks and Maxwell Marks; his sisters: Marjorie Kitzrow, Evanston, IL and Kim (Art) McGinnis, Manhattan, NY. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings: baby Guy, Doris and Neil.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church, Rural Hoople, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-6 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the Church. The family requests that all those attending wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page and a video of the service will be posted on the funeral home website following the service. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Park River Good Samaritan Center and Hillcrest Country Club.
Joel David Midgarden was born February 14, 1943 in Grafton, ND the son of the late Christopher and Evelyn (Jamieson) Midgarden. He attended school in rural Hoople and graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River. He later attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Following his education he returned home and farmed with his cousins at the Midgarden Potato Company. Joel was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Janet Hall on April 12, 1964 in Park River, ND. The couple made their home in rural Hoople. Joel retired from Midgarden Potato Company after 32 years. Shortly after retiring from farming, he began work at Harriston Industries, promoting agricultural equipment. The career at Harriston embraced his love of agriculture, travel, ingenuity and fostering friendships all around the world. He retired from there in 2005. In 2006 the couple moved to Park River, ND where he took care of his wife and enjoyed retirement as best as he could. Janet passed away on July 13, 2011. Joel suffered a massive stroke in 2012 and moved into the Park River Good Samaritan Center where he lived until his death.
Joel was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople, the Hillcrest Golf County Club in Park River, and the Walsh County Curling Club. He served on the Board of Directors for several organizations. He was one of the founding investors in the Alexander House and Park River Good Samaritan Center. He was known for his fast wit, kindness and generosity. Although in his final years Joel required care from others, he spent a great deal of his lifetime caring for people including his brother, sister, parents, mother-in-law and his beloved wife, Janet.
Joel is survived by his daughters: Nicole (Randy) Dub, Horace, ND; Barbara (Brian) Marks, Olivia, MN; grandchildren: Elizabeth Dub (Trevor Sundquist), Alexandra Dub (fiancé Andrew Sather), Samuel Marks and Maxwell Marks; his sisters: Marjorie Kitzrow, Evanston, IL and Kim (Art) McGinnis, Manhattan, NY. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings: baby Guy, Doris and Neil.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church, Rural Hoople, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-6 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the Church. The family requests that all those attending wear a mask. The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page and a video of the service will be posted on the funeral home website following the service. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Park River Good Samaritan Center and Hillcrest Country Club.