Kenneth Orien Fugleberg

Kenneth Orien Fugleberg of Portland, ND passed away on June 12, 2008 from surgical complications, at Union Hospital in Mayville, ND. His wife of 55 years - Fern, and son Jonathan were with him at the time of death. Ken was born to Hartvig and Peaethel (Knudson) Fugleberg on June 17, 1929 on the family farm west of Portland, in Steele County North Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Harlan, and is survived by his younger brother Richard (Vicki), and Sister Barbara (Harold) Rygg. He has three sons: Stephan (wife Tracy, children Shane, James, Stephanie and Nathan) of Tampa, FL; David (Linda) of Westlake Village, CA; and Jonathan (wife Nancy, children Eric and Andrew) of Portland, ND, and one great-grandson -Trevin. Ken graduated from Portland High School in 1947. He attended Concordia College 1947 – 1949 and earned his Bachelors Degree from Mayville State College in 1957 with a major in Business Education and a minor in General Science. He received his Masters Degree from the University of North Dakota (Elementary Administration) in 1961, and a Bachelors Degree from Troy State University (Computer Science) in 1982. Ken taught all eight grades in a one room rural school house in Enger Township, Steele County, North Dakota (Enger #3) from 1949-1951, then served his country with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951 – 1953. Upon his return, he taught again at Enger #3 until 1955. When he retired, he and his wife moved the Enger #3 schoolhouse and refurbished it for their retirement home. He and Fern moved to Alaska, where they taught in a two teacher school. He was the Principal/Teacher for Eskimo children in grades 4 – 8. In 1959 they returned to North Dakota for work towards his Masters degree. They returned to Alaska, north of the Arctic Circle in 1960 to continue teaching. In 1962 they moved to a Navajo Reservation in Arizona. As a Kindergarten teacher, he taught the English language to Navajo children. In 1963 the family moved to the Panama Canal Zone. Ken and his wife were employees of the Panama Canal Government. He taught grades 4 and 5 at the Gamboa Elementary School, then became a Teacher/Principal of Gatun Elementary, teaching fourth grade and supervising 5 other teachers. In 1971 he returned to the University of North Dakota to continue his education. Returning to the Canal Zone, he taught grade 6, and supervised 8 teachers in the Gamboa Elementary School. The family then moved to Balboa (Canal Zone) where he served as Principal of the Balboa Elementary School, supervising 25 teachers in a K-6 environment. In 1975 he became Principal of the Elementary School on the Howard Air-Force Base (Canal Zone), supervising 28 teachers. In 1979 he retired from teaching. Ken was instrumental in starting the Phi Delta Kappa (Professional Fraternity in Education) chapter in the Canal Zone. He served as President, Vice President, and Chapter Delegate of the Isthmus of Panama Chapter. He received the Outstanding Performance Rating as Principal covering the period of April 1, 1977 through March 31, 1978. Upon Graduating from Troy State, Ken took a position with Computer Sciences Corporation as a computer programmer, working at the Kennedy Space Center, while living in Merritt Island Florida. His position then took him to MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida, and Scott AFB in Belleville, Illinois. He was given Top Secret security clearance and received numerous commendations/letters of appreciation for his work in the space shuttle program. In 1997 Ken retired again, this time from Computer Sciences Corporation. Ken was an active member and served on call committees for the Churches in the communities in which he lived, and was a lifetime member of Bang Lutheran Church. He became a member of the Bang Brotherhood, and was a member of the Bang Cemetery Association. He also participated as a Sunday School teacher and Choir member. He was active in the Arts, took up Oil painting, and was a builder of sets for numerous theater presentations. As members of the “Star in a Circle” square dance club, Ken and Fern actually square danced while transiting the entire Panama Canal in 1964. While living in Panama, Ken was issued a “Certificate for Service” for saving a child from being swept out to sea, and was rewarded with a certificate from the Governor of the Canal Zone for his actions. A staunch supporter of the Boy Scouts since1954, he maintained active membership as the liaison between the American Legion (Anderson-Hefta Post 93 in Portland) and his grandson’s troop in Portland, ND. Ken was a member of the Sons of Norway, served as the Membership Chairman for the Mjosen Lodge in Mayville, was Adjutant for Anderson-Hefta Post 93 of the American Legion in Portland, and was instrumental in the establishing the Portland War Memorial. He delivered “Meals on Wheels” for 5 years as a volunteer, was a certified Speech Judge for May-Port CG High School since 2003, Program Chairman for Golden Age Club (Senior Citizens Club) in Portland, and Treasurer of the Board of the Portland Lutheran Parish Senior Group that plans fundraisers and trips for senior citizens within a 100-mile radius of Portland, ND. He was a member of the Planning Committee for the Portland, ND 125 year celebration in July 2007, and was instrumental in the planning and typesetting of the Portland School Directory. Ken and his wife were nominated for the ND Andrus Award in Volunteer Work in 2007 and 2008. They received a recognition certificate for each year. Other contributions to the community included being an essay and poetry judge for Night of the Arts on behalf of the Mayville Women’s Club at MPCG since 2003. He has served as the Traill County Delegate for the Silver-haired Education Assembly since 2004. He was also a member of the Veteran’s Alumni Association and has been a member of the M-300 Board since 2003 where he was in charge of ticket sales for Farmer’s Bowl. Finally, Kenneth was nominated and voted a Mayville State distinguished alumni in the spring of 2008. In addition to being a wonderful husband (Fern’s best friend) and fantastic father/grandfather, Ken always believed in service to others. He was very proud of serving his country and giving back to his community. His passing will leave a large hole in out hearts, and we are all better for having known him. Visitation: Will be from 5-7p.m. with a 7p.m. prayer service on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at the Baker Funeral Home and will resume 1 hour prior to the service at the church Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Bang Lutheran Church, rural Portland Burial: Bang Cemetery, rural Portland Funeral arrangements: Baker Funeral Home of Mayville.