John D. Landsem

John D. Landsem, age 75, of Adams, ND, passed away at his home on Friday, August 29, 2025.

John was born on August 18, 1950, in Lawton, ND, to Nels and Thea (Staven) Landsem. He attended school in Lawton and Edmore, ND.

He met the love of his life, Pamela Troftgruben, at a dance at Bechyne Hall on June 29, 1966. They were married on August 24, 1968, at Mountain Lutheran Church in Adams, ND. Their marriage spanned 57 years, and they shared a total of fifty-nine wonderful years together.

John and Pam began their life together in Langdon, ND, where their first daughter, Michelle, was born. During that time, John worked at the Cargill Elevator. In 1971, they moved to Adams, where John worked at the PAR site in Nekoma and later served as a night-shift guard at the missile sites in Fairdale and Cavalier. He also spent a year commuting daily to the Grand Forks Air Base while working for Peterson Construction. Their family was complete when their second daughter, Melissa, was born in Grafton. He was always proud of his daughters and all their accomplishments.

John was a very independent person, and his entrepreneurial spirit emerged early—at age 12, he began selling garden seeds to all the ladies of Lawton. In 1975, he started John Landsem Construction, a carpentry business he successfully owned and operated for 50 years. He built not only pole barns, homes, and structures, along with numerous remodeling projects, but also lasting friendships. His strong work ethic, dedication to his customers, and pride in his craft were unmatched, and he passed those values on to his daughters and grandsons. One of his best friends, Jim Dobmeier, helped him with many projects over the years. Grandsons, Chris and Colton, were also able to help grandpa with a few projects.

John was known for his frugality and financial wisdom, teaching his family the importance of living within their means. He taught his daughters and grandsons that if you did not have the cash to buy something, you did not buy it. It was equally important to save your money. He loved his Fords, always having a new, shiny red or blue pickup and making sure Pam had a new car, and later gifting Chris and Colton each with two of his pickups when they began driving. He always put his family first and provided well for them.

His grandsons were the light of his life. He shared a special secret handshake with them, attended every school program and sporting event, and loved playing board games—especially checkers, until they grew skilled enough to beat him. He was incredibly proud of them and cherished every moment spent together. Christmas was his favorite holiday and time of the year. He loved everything about it, and he delighted in spoiling his family during the season.

John had a gift for conversation and a warm, witty sense of humor. He also had a distinct, genuine, heartfelt laugh. He loved taking drives, always stopping to visit friends, and checking in with loved ones—especially when he discovered texting. He regularly messaged his family to see what they were “up to.”

His hobbies included spending time with his family, solving crossword puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune, taking care of their lawn, and following the stock market. He also had a lifelong love for dogs, with Copper and Bailey being his best last companions. He and Pam also took trips to Cancun and the Virgin Islands. He was a member of Adams Mountain Lutheran Church.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Pam; daughters Michelle (Larry) Griffin of Devils Lake, ND, and Melissa (Jay) Kringstad of Grafton, ND; and grandsons Christopher Onstad (fiancée Megan), Colton Onstad (fiancée Beth), both of Grand Forks, ND, and Marcus (Celeste) Moody, along with great-grandchildren Lela and James of Powers Lake, ND. He is also survived by his brothers Norman (Juanita) Landsem of Woodbury, MN, and Gary Landsem of St. Cloud, MN; in-laws Gary & Mavis Troftgruben of Harvey, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law Irene Miller, Jean (Wally) Utzinger, Norma Landsem, Diana (Bill) Cardwell, Beverly (Ronald) Walsh, and Sharon (Donald) Gerth; brother Gordon (Shirley) Rod; and in-laws Mary Landsem, Sundry & Pearl Troftgruben, Gaylen & Sharon Troftgruben, Lori Troftgruben and Gerald Troftgruben.

John was the best husband, dad, father-in-law, and grandpa. He was always there for us. His passing has left our hearts broken, and we will love and miss him always.

An open house celebrating John’s life will be a the Park River Senior Center on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 2-5 PM. Burial will be at the Odalen Lutheran Cemetery of Rural Edinburg.