Gordon Vind

Gordon Gram Vind, 87, of Bemidji, MN and formerly of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday morning, January 12, 2018 in Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND, with his family at his side.

Gordon was born on November 15, 1930 to Hans and Katie (Baughman) Vind in Jackson, MN. He later moved with his family to Crookston, where he graduated from high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture. He then worked for Mason Chevrolet. On January 8, 1951 Gordon enlisted in the US Air Force and served stateside at Chanute AFB, Illinois and with the Duluth, MN Air Defense Group. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal prior to his honorable discharge on January 7, 1955. After his return to Crookston he began working at Elk River Concrete and later spent 10 years as the boiler operator for Bethesda Hospital, which eventually became known as RiverView Hospital. In the late 1970’s he began his employment with American Crystal Sugar. Gordon was united in marriage to Patricia Yanish on March 7, 1959 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fisher, MN. They made their home in Crookston and their marriage was blessed with 2 children: Timothy and Tamara. Gordon, Pat, and the kids enjoyed camping and fishing and doing as many “family” things as possible. At the time of his retirement in 1992 he was a chief boiler operator and mechanic at American Crystal. Retirement meant more time for Gordy to golf with his friends, and have daily coffee sessions with several of his buddies at Hardee’s, which later became Arby’s. By the time coffee was over they pretty much had the world’s problems solved for another day. For several years Gordon and Pat spent their winters at Alamo Palms in Alamo, TX.

Gordon and Pat moved to Bemidji, MN in 2015, so they could be closer to their son, Tim, and his family. Sadly, after a valiant 10 year struggle against cancer, Tim passed away on May 20, 2017. Gordon was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Bemidji, and a former longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. He also held memberships in Crookston’s Eagles Aerie #873, American Legion Post #20, VFW Post #1902, and the union at American Crystal. Throughout their lives he was his children’s rock; offering his love, support, and encouragement that they be the best people they could be. He will be remembered with great love by his family, who give thanks for being able to share in his life.

Gordon is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Pat; their daughter, Tammy Baker, and her husband, Jim, of Sacred Heart, MN; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Tolbert) Vind of Bemidji, MN; 3 grandchildren: Kelly Vind (fiancé, Cole Kindem) and Holly Vind of Bemidji, and Ben Baker of Sacred Heart. He also leaves a sister, Mary Lessard of Crookston, MN; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Merna Vind of Crookston, Joyce and Richard Morgan of Grand Forks, ND, Ilene Yanish of Fisher, MN, Carol and Arly Aune and Donna and Gary Mosher of East Grand Forks, MN, Duane Stinar of Crookston, and Curtis Johnson of Grand Forks; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his son, Timothy; Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Katie Vind; 3 brothers: Charles, Roger, and Tom Vind; and 3 sisters: Charlotte Stinar, Henrietta Hill, and Verna Johnson. Blessed be Gordon’s memory.

The memorial service and celebration of the life of Gordon Gram Vind will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 18, 2018, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN with The Rev. Greg Isaacson and The Rev. Mark Kindem, officiants. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Wednesday from 5-7:00pm, with a 7pm prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Inurnment will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery at Fisher, MN in the spring. Memorials may directed to the family.

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