Robert Lawrence Aasen

   Robert Lawrence Aasen, 94, died on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.

   He was born on Mar. 6, 1927, the youngest child of Carl M. and Mabel L. (Aaserud) Aasen, on their farm in Roseville Township, rural Portland, ND. He attended Roseville rural school and graduated from Portland High School. He studied at Mayville State College, pursuing a degree in accounting.

   Robert eventually took over the farm, although he had interests in math and science, especially electronics and accounting, and genealogy. He thoroughly enjoyed his ham radio hobby and his friends in that arena. For many years, he volunteered at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, MN. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church at Roseville until it closed, then at Bruflat Lutheran Church, Portland, where he sang in the choir. Robert was quite fluent in the Norwegian language, corresponding with relatives in Norway regularly for decades. He translated old and new letters for others. He traveled to Norway several times, visiting cousins. A Hurtigruten cruise along Norway’s coastline was a special thrill for him. Although he was home on the farm most of his life, he did take a solo tour around the western U.S. Living in the Mayville’s Sun Center retirement facility enabled him to be with friends, a source of joy for him over meals and jigsaw puzzles.

   Robert leased his farmland to Eric and Paul Knudsvig, who became his great friends. They spent many hours talking and touring. Eric and Paul tended to Robert’s needs with respect and care. We nieces and nephews, living far away, so appreciate everyone, especially Eric, Linda, and Paul Knudsvig and Christie Nelson, for all they did for Robert. He was particularly fond of Linda’s lemon meringue pies.

   Preceding Robert in death were his parents; his sisters, Margaret in 1938, Ruth in 1990, and Helen in 2007; four nephews, Larry Moen, Lowell, Marlan and Glenn Rygg; and one niece, Cindi (Moen) Borries.

   He is survived by three nephews, Skip (Carrie) Moen, Carl Moen and Duane (Crystal) Rygg; four nieces, Cecily (Norbert) Badding, Dianne (Dan) Kaldor, Esther Rygg, and Meryl (Lloyd) McKenna; great-nieces and great-nephews and their children; several close cousins; and honorary family members Eric and Linda Knudsvig, Paul Knudsvig, and Christie Nelson.

    Services are planned for May 20, 2022 at 2 PM at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, with burial in the Bruflat Cemetery in Portland.