Paul Kermit Ness

Paul K. Ness age 85, of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away on June 15, 2013 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born March 11, 1928 in Harvey, ND. When he was 11 months old he was adopted by Severt and Olga Ness. He was baptized at home by the Pastor of First Lutheran Church of Fargo. In 1934 they left Fargo and moved to the farm in Rochert, MN. Paul was confirmed at Egelund Lutheran Church in 1943. He attended District #57 grade school and graduated from Detroit Lakes High school in 1945. He attended Concordia College for 2 years and then transferred to St. Cloud State University. He taught in the rural schools of Becker County for 6 years. Paul was drafted into the Army in October 1952 and was honorably discharged in July 1954. He served in the Korean Conflict for 14 months. Paul received his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State in 1956. He received his Master's Degree in 1975 from Moorhead State. On June 3, 1956 he married Janice Dahl at Egelund Lutheran Church in Rochert, MN. Paul was with the Detroit Lakes Public School System from 1955 until retiring in 1993. He taught at Washington School, became Principal and then Director of Elementary Education. Paul was involved with First Lutheran Church teaching Sunday School, serving on the Church Council as President and on the call committee, Lions, Garden Club, Sons of Norwqay, Retired Teachers, Gideons, American Legion, and VFW. He loved gardening, Rosemaling, landscape painting, reading, and playing cards. Paul and Janice enjoyed traveling, especially to Norway, and for the past 13 years spending time in Arizona in the winter. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He loved spending time with family and friends. He will be deeply missed by his wife Janice of 57 years; daughters, Pamela Dougherty, of St. Cloud, MN; Vicki and Dale Vierkant, of Sioux Falls, SD; Lisa Ness, of Fergus Falls, MN; and Janie Ness, of Moorhead, MN; and son, Christopher and Denisse Ness, of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Jennifer Vierkant, Megan and Joe Cegla, Heather Thode, Michelle and Joey Dooley, Matthew Vierkant, Nicholas Dougherty, Jonathon Hage, Melissa Dougherty, Kendrick Ness and Camilla Ness; great grandsons, Hayden and Hunter Dooley, Elijah and Bennett Cegla, Mason Dougherty and Everett Hage; half sister, Betty Amundson, of CA; sister in law Beve and Dave Melgaard, of Audubon, MN; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold and Vi Ness, sisters, Hazel, Alpha Leggett and Beverly Fleissner; and grandson, Patrick Dougherty.