Maurice John West

Maurice John “Mort” West, age 73 of Grafton, ND passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, ND.

Mort West was born September 18, 1944 in Altona, Manitoba Canada the son of the late Frederick and Jean (O’Hara) West. He attended schools in Grafton, ND. Following his education he served in the United States Army from Sept. 15, 1965 to Sept. 14, 1967. Following his discharge he returned to Grafton. He was united in marriage to JoAnn Misialek on August 11, 1972 in Grafton. The couple made their home here. He worked for Brodeur and Adamsen Construction and later worked at A&H Implement as a mechanic and shop foreman for over 30 years. When the implement closed he worked for the Walsh County Law Enforcement and ICS in Grand Forks until retiring in 2009. After retiring he worked for Tom Olson Farms.

He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, North Dakota Masonic Foundation, Crescent Lodge 11 AF and AM of Grafton, Kem Temple Shrine of Grand Forks, V.F.W., Amvets where he served as the first commander, and the Paul Farup American Legion Post of Park River, ND. He volunteered at the Walsh County Food Pantry. Mort loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved to bake and make lefse. He was an avid card player and especially loved to play pinochle and whist. He bowled for many years. He was especially fond of his dog Tinkerbell.

Mort is survived by his wife, JoAnn, Grafton, ND; his children: Tammy (Daniel) Schaf, Casselton, ND and Terry Johnson, San Francisco, CA; four grandchildren: Ryan (Melissa) Schaf, Fargo, ND; Andy Johnson, Kansas City, MO; Blake Schaf (Kelsey Therrell), Grafton, ND; Autumn (Zach) Bowers, Wilton, ND; great grandchildren: Kayden, Karlene, Jhett and Alaska; his siblings: Larry (Frieda) O’Hara, Napavine, WA; Lou (Hilary) West, Spotsylvania, VA; Maggie Didier, Woodward, OK; Sharon (Pete) Johnson, Grafton, ND; Gale Johnson, Grand Forks, ND; Linda (Dennis) Votava, Bull Head City, AZ; sister-in-law, Avis West, Grafton, ND and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Alice Olson, brother, Richard West and brother-in-law, Ray Didier.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 15, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:30 with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery in the spring. Military rites will be provided by the Paul Farup American Legion Post of Park River and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.