Reuben M Espelien

Reuben M. Espelien, age 88 of Edinburg, ND passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River with his loving family at his side after a short battle with leukemia. Reuben M. Espelien was born December 9, 1920 on the family farm in Vesta Township near Lankin, ND the son of the late Carl and Mary (Morstad) Espelien. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at the Golden Valley Lutheran Church near Park River. He attended Norton School District #69. Reuben was united in marriage to Blanche M. Dahl on December 10, 1938 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Grafton, ND. The couple lived in Park River where Reuben worked as a carpenter for Dahl Construction. In 1948 he started farming west of Park River. In 1964 he purchased the Bjerke farm near Adams and later purchased the Botsford farm. The couple farmed near Adams until retiring. They moved to Edinburg in 1998. Reuben was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg. He served as Treasurer for the Norton District #69 School Board. He served on the church councils of Golden, Hitterdahl and Mountain Lutheran Churches. Reuben enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially loved a good auction sale. He loved spending time with his family at the lake and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Reuben and Blanche spent 26 winters in Mesa. Reuben is survived by his wife Blanche of Edinburg, ND; his children: Lorna (Norris) Haug, West Fargo, ND; Sandra (Lon) Drevecky, Minot, ND; eight grandchildren: Randy, Darrell, Lana, Arley, Kirk, Kimberly, Kari and Kelly, 17 great grandchildren: Kresten, Isabel, Kaylyn, Kolton, Nathan, Ashley, Jacob, Benjamin, Grace, Aaron, Laura, Eliot, Eve, Parker, Brandon, Kenly and Matt, his brother Joe (Irene) Espelien, Park River, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Ellen Demarais and brother Clarence Espelien. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 11:30 A.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-6 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg, ND. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery of Park River, ND.