John R. Gotteberg

   John R. Gotteberg, 98, of Mayville, ND died Sunday, September 2, 2018 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.    John was born December 4, 1919 son of Oscar and Hilda (Langager) Gotteberg. He grew up in Mayville with his five sisters and one brother where he attended school. He served the 316 Signal Wing in the South Pacific during WWII. In 1941, he married Hazel Schjeldahl and they were blessed with two children, Shirley and Ron. Hazel passed away in 1967. John later married his wife of 50 years, Lorraine Stallman, and their two families immediately became one.    After returning home from the war, John worked for the Red River Telephone Company and for several years he was manager of the Pioneer Telephone Co. John became the owner of Johny's Bar upon his father’s retirement, and sold it after 21 years to become the City Superintendent.     John was very civically minded and believed in serving his community, his country and most importantly his family. He was a member of the VFW, and was one of many volunteers who started the VFW in Mayville. He was a 72 year member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the DAV. John served on the city council for 15 years where he presided as president for a number of years.  For thirty years John was a volunteer on the Mayville Fire Department and served as the department's Chief for many of those years. John was also an avid sports fan, and in 1985 he was selected as Fan of the Year by Mayville Portland High School.     John loved to fish, play pinochle, and attend local sporting events. He enjoyed traveling and especially remembered a cruise to the Caribbean with his wife Lorraine, numerous trips to see family in Seattle, and the trip of a lifetime to see family in Norway. He played golf on Tuesdays with his friends Red Sohalt, Gil Tollefsrud, and Alvin Tollefsrud and considered morning coffee at Paula's a great way to start the day. He especially loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports, a passion he considered a great dividend for growing old.  John was truly happiest when family came for holidays or his grandchildren came for sleepovers.    In September 2007, John and his son Ron traveled with the World War II Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., a memory he deeply cherished. John will be remembered for his gentleness, sense of humor, and his passionate love for family.    John is survived by his wife of 50 years: Lorraine Gotteberg; his three daughters: Shirley (Gary) Thuen, West Fargo, ND, Stephanie (Ray) Freier, Anacortez, WA and Pat Stallman, Mayville,  ND; son: Ronald (Carolyn) Gotteberg, Halstad, MN; 8 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two sisters: Helen Sharpe, Mayville, ND and Edith Ingebertson, Fargo ND.    He was preceded in death by his parents; Oscar and Hilda Gotteberg; sisters: Ruth Howard, Ida Edberg and Alice Eiken and brother: Ray Gotteberg. John will be dearly missed. Visitation:  Will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, ND. Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors. Burial: Will be at the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND.