Earl Jerome Marifjeren

Earl J. Marifjeren, age 84 of Park River, ND and Mesa, AZ passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015 in Mesa, AZ. Earl Jerome Marifjeren was born August 23, 1930 in Grafton, ND. He grew up on a farm near Hoople, ND and attended a country grade school. He graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River, ND in 1948. In 1954 Earl graduated from the North Dakota State University with a degree in Agriculture. While in college he was an active member of the marching band and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Earl was passionate about his NDSU Bison teams. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at Schofeild Barracks, Hawaii. He returned to North Dakota and began a life-long career of farming, raising wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar beets. With several farmers, Earl purchased the Park River Potato Company where he served as president and manager. Earl was a director in the Red River Potato Growers Association, and served as president for one year. Earl was very civic minded and spear headed many community projects. He was proud to be a stockholder and serve on the Board of Directors for First United Bank of Park River. He was a lover of music. He played trumpet in the Grafton Parade Band and had the opportunity to play in the Orange Bowl and Mardi Gras parades. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Park River and the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church in Mesa. He was a charter member of the Gold Canyon Lions Club and a member of the Gold Canyon Arts Council. Earl is survived by his wife, Lorna; brother, Allyn Marifjeren, Grand Forks, ND; children: Cindy (Richard) Lien, Hoople, ND; John (Nancy) Kelner, Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren: Kristin (Marc) Bye, Karie (Michael) Currie, Josh (Finace Kirsten) Lien, and Jenna (Chris) Midgarden, Jack Kelner, Emili Kelner, Jay Kelner; Millie's daughter, Judy (Ed) Brown, Lodi, CA; Lorna's children: Gretchen Johnson, Thousand Oaks, CA and Brian Johnson, Tucson, AZ and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Millie; parents Selmer and Mary Marifjeren and grandson Tyler Lien. Memorial services will be Friday, April 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Park River.