Douglas M. Nordby, 80, Bowman, ND, died Saturday evening, February 6, 2010, at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center, Bowman. Funeral Services are scheduled for Thursday morning, February 11, 2010, at 11:00 AM at the Community Center, Slope County Fairgrounds, Amidon. Pastor Galen Strand, Pastor Jerry Erickson and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate; burial will take place in the spring of 2010 at the Lebanon Lutheran Cemetery, Amidon. There will be a Family and Friends service Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM at the Lebanon Lutheran Church, Amidon.
Douglas M. Nordby was born August 15, 1929, in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Robert and Leilia Mae Nordby. He was raised in Madison where he received elementary and high school education. In the summers he developed a love for production agriculture working on his uncle's farm at Prairie Farm, Wisconsin. Doug chose to remain in Madison in 1946, when his parents moved to Seattle, Washington. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Mechanical Engineering. At the "U" he played football and was a member of the golf team, winning the Wisconsin State Championship in 1947. After graduation, Doug moved to Seattle, Washington and worked as a Tool Design Engineer for Boeing Aircraft Company.
During his employment at Boeing he met his bride in the secretarial department and was married to Vivian M. Olson on June 15, 1953, at the Lutheran Church in New England, ND. Doug continued to work at Boeing Aircraft Co. until 1955 when Vivian's father Lud needed help on his farm in Whitelake Township, Slope County, North Dakota. Doug took a year's leave of absence to work in southwestern North Dakota and never looked back as he loved the outdoor, independent life that farming and ranching offered. In 1958, Doug and Vivian purchased the Olson farm and operated it until 1997, when he retired and moved to Bowman.
In addition to his farming and ranching, Doug was involved in many local, regional and state activities. He served on the Slope Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for 33 years from 1964 thru 1997 and President of the Board 1984-87; the Sunset Retirement Home Board of Directors 1978 - 1985 where he was instrumental in planning the Sunny Apts Addition; the Sunrise Foundation 1984-2006; the Lebanon Lutheran Church Board, where he oversaw the building of the new church as Board President; the Slope County Fairboard serving as President in 1971-1973; and member of the ND Democratic-NPL Party. He was honored to serve the 39th District in North Dakota House of Representatives in 1977 and served as Sergeant of Arms for the ND House in 1983 as well as the 1987, 89 and 91 Senate sessions.
His hobbies included bowling with his neighbors and friends, who always said with the game on the line you could always count on Doug the team anchor. Certainly his love for the outdoors was expressed in his hunting and fishing activities and rather it was in a duck blind, opening deer season or a hot spot for fishing Doug loved to take his sons and friends on the adventure, of course following all Game and Fish Regulations. You may not have noticed, but Dad loved to eat and I bet you this coming Sunday he will enjoy a roasted duck and wild rice supper his favorite. Doug enjoyed attending his children's sporting events football, wrestling or basketball- he didn't miss many and he was a strong supporter of the FFA and 4-H programs. Doug also had a soft heart for his dogs throughout his life Socks, Dutchess, Angus and Brittany, I am sure they are all sharing an ice cream bar right now.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Vivian of Bowman; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Douglas M. Nordby, Jr. and Lori, Watford City; son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Sarah Nordby, Amidon; daughter and son-in-law: Darcy and Ron Hummel, Fredericksburg, VA; seven grandchildren; Jessica Aslakson (husband Aaron), Mikka, Douglas III Nordby, Amanda Hummel, and Hannah, Ty and Tate Nordby; brother Bob Nordby, British Columbia and sister Gurine Nordby, Seattle WA.