Brett T. Vogsland

Brett's Funeral will be livestreamed on Bethel Free Lutheran's YouTube page: https://youtube.com/@bethelfreelutheran1473

Brett Thomas Vogsland, age 62, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, at Altru Hospital. Brett was the fifth son born to Dennis and Ella Mae (Peoppel) Vogsland in rural Grafton. Three sisters followed Brett into the family, and the large Vogsland clan provided him with one of the things he loved most—companionship. He would often call one of his sisters over to chat while he worked on a piece of machinery on the family farm. He was very social and enjoyed being around others. Through his humor and love for conversation, he never met a stranger.

In his younger years, he played football and broomball and especially loved going fishing with his Grandpa Ole. He enjoyed listening to music and often quizzed his Aunt LaVerne by asking, “Who sings this song?” as she drove him to school when he missed the bus—a tradition he later carried on with his own children.

He graduated from Grafton High School and went on to attend NDSCS in Wahpeton, earning a bachelor’s degree in petroleum technology. Soon after, he moved to California and worked on the offshore oil rigs for a short time before returning home to work on the family farm.

He met and married Jennifer McCoy, raising her two children as his own before adding a couple more little girls to their small family. After farming, he worked for many years at the State Developmental Center as the Boiler House Supervisor. Although he and Jennifer did not remain married, they stayed very close until the very end. There was never any doubt that his children were the apples of his eye. In nearly every conversation he had, they found their way in.

Brett loved to cook and share his creations with family and friends. Christmas was never complete without his special party mix and jalapeño meatballs. He was a joker at heart and loved to make others laugh. One of his favorite days was April Fool’s Day, and he was notorious for calling friends and family with a disguised voice, pretending to be the IRS or someone else who might give the person on the other end a brief moment of panic.

Although his life was cut short, it was filled with love and laughter, always.

He is survived by his children, Emily and Amanda Vogsland; stepchildren Stephanie and Skylar Nord; his partner in life, Jennifer Vogsland; his brothers Robin (Lillian) of Rio Rancho, NM, Scott (DeeDee) of Grafton, ND, and Jeff (Tammy) of Bozeman, MT; his sisters Jennifer (Randy) Napier of Grafton, ND, Julie (John) Ferguson of Riverside, CA, and Susan (Mike) Narloch of Drayton, ND; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his aunts LaVerne Vogsland and Thelma (Donald) Skorheim; his brother Chris; and his niece Rachael Vogsland.

Memorial services will be Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoople, ND.