Alf Stangeland, 93 years old, died March 4, 2018, after suffering a stroke while a resident of Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND

Alf Stangeland was born in the Shea home in Cooperstown, ND, on November 8, 1924, and lived near Juanita, ND, most of his life.  His parents Trygue and Karen (Volstad) Stangeland, emigrated March 1921, from Norway and farmed near Juanita.  Alf attended Juanita school and acquired his GED through courses taken while in the US Air Corp. at Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL. He joined the US Air Corp in May 1946, and had Basic training aka Battle of Survival at “Sack field in Lacklund AFB for 6 weeks” in San Antonio, TX. Alf then took the Rock Island train to Chicago to enjoy free roller skating, dancing, and baseball tickets. On March 21, 1947, he received a medical discharge and returned home. After the Air Force, he began farming with his brother Kenneth and bought his first section of land. That same year his brother Ken and Alf purchased an airplane.  He and his brother grew wheat and other small grains.  They also raised stock Hereford cattle.

Alf met the love of his life at a dance in Red Willow Lake in 1949.  He married Margaret Wright on March 24, 1951, in the Grace City Methodist church. They lived on a farm north east of Juanita. In 1960, they purchased land from Charles Haszlett where they lived while spending winters in Mesa, Arizona as “Snow Birds” for 25 years. In the 1960s, they co owned a family cabin on Juanita Lake (now owned by Dave and Sue Swanson) where many Sundays were enjoyed.  The family would spend the day participating in water activities and having picnics. Skiing was the big hit since all the water toys had not yet been invented. Alf had his dream of owning an elevator come true in 1978. In 1986 Alf and Margaret received the Foster County Outstanding Agriculturist Award.  In 2011, they moved to Joal Drive in Carrington, ND. 

Alf enjoyed meeting new people and he would often say “Can you Speak Norse?” Alf and Margaret liked to square dance and encouraged both Ronn and Jeff to learn as well.  His favorite song was “So low and far away,” but he could also dance to the Tennessee Waltz. He enjoyed bowling on locally sponsored league teams and couples bowling and golfing. He was the basketball coach of Juanita Lakers.  For any school function you were late if you didn’t arrive an hour before. He loved many sports both as a participant and observer.  He enjoyed playing cards and you could often hear him say “You play like a sausage.” “Or “you outbid your hand you go set,” esp. pinochle. In his retirement he spent endless hours repairing antique John Deere tractors and Model T cars. His pride was seeing those antiques participating in various local community parades.  

He was very community minded and served on various local, county and church boards.  Alf served on ASCS county board and McHenry School board. 

Alf became a resident of Golden Acres Manor in August 2014 where Margaret spent most afternoons with him assisting with bingo, coffee hour and greeting residents.  Margaret joined Alf in March 2017 and they were together again soon after their 66th wedding anniversary. 

Alf is survived by his wife Margaret, Carrington; children, Colleen (Leslie) Greger, Jon (Connie), Jeff, and Ronn (Cindy) all Glenfield, ND; 10 grandchildren Lee Greger, Cara (Dan) Angelo, Natalie (Ty) Larson, Twila (Seth) Berge, Grant, Dustin (Tracy), Lucas (Amy), Shana (Adam) Garcia, Whitney Allen, and Ethan (Aleah). 16 Great-grandchildren; two brothers Lloyd (Carol) and Harold (Karen) and one sister June McDaniel. One brother-in-law Keith (Margie) Wright, one sister-in-law Norma and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister; three brother-in-laws and four sister-in-laws.

Visitation: Sunday 11-4:00PM with a Prayer Service at 4:00PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.

Funeral Service: Monday, March 12, 2018 at 11:00AM in Federated Church UCC/UMC, Carrington.

Burial: Grace City Cemetery, Grace City, ND, in the spring.