30 Dec Norval Pidarson
Norval Pidarson, 84, Bismarck, formerly of Sterling, passed away December 27, 2023, in a Bismarck hospital. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service.
Norval was born on May 27, 1939, to Arthur and Verna (Shipp) Pidarson, the youngest of 3 sons. He lived near Harmon, ND until April 1940 when the family moved to a farmstead north of Sterling, ND. He was educated at a one room school in Christiania Township finishing 8 grades.
In 1960 he joined the National Guard and took his training in Kansas. In the fall of 1961, he was called to serve in the Army Engineer Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas during the Berlin Operations.
After an honorable discharge from military service in 1965, he farmed with his brother Howard north of Sterling and continued to expand their farming operation. During the winter months, he drove semi-trucks hauling livestock for Ray Berger and Wally Siegel.
On June 22, 1979, he married Karen (Faul) Tuenge. Karen passed away Aug 1987.
Later in life he met a special friend Mavis Anderson. They resided in Bismarck and spent winters together in Florida.
After retiring from actual farming, he volunteered with the VFW Honor Guard with flag presentations at veteran burials.
He is survived by his brother Howard (DiAnn) Pidarson, Sterling, ND; niece Annette (Brian) Rude, Bismarck, ND; nephews, Wayne and Doug (Melissa) Pidarson, Tacoma, WA; stepdaughter Kim Dienstmann, Boise, ID; and step-granddaughter Alexis Dienstmann, Fargo, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Karen; special friend, Mavis Anderson; brother and sister-in-law, Dewey (Virginia) Pidarson; and niece, Arlette Pidarson.
Norval was a special person. I first met him in 2010 when I joined the VFW. A quiet gentle man, but his accomplishments were loud. Anytime we had anything that needed fixing. Norval would take a look at it, slant his head as he determined the method of repair. Then, he looked at you, raise his lower lip and squint. ” OK ” Then, within a short period time. Norval had it fixed as good as new. The man was dedicated to the VFW Honor Guard as well. Of course, he was the Armor always ensured the that the rifles would fire on command. He would do all this out of love for others. Both he and Mavis had a love for helping other and a love for each other. I don’t know if I will ever meet a couple with more vigor for life. Seldom could another couple show them up on the dance floor. They both had the million dollar smiles. Accompanied with the million dollar hearts of gold. God Bless the family of Norval Pidarson. Thank you for sharing him with us!
Thank you Chris for sharing your wonderful memories and articulating exactly as we remember. I smiled at your “raise his lower lip and squint”. So accurate and unique to him.I am sure your friendship meant a great deal. God Bless.
Norval was a very special friend to our family. Walter and he would spend hours visiting over coffee and sweets talking farming. He was always helpful fixing little issues that would be a challenge for us.
Such a warm and caring man. I will miss meeting him and Mavis for coffee at Perkins
Are he and Walter taking farming right now? Such a fun thought.