Conrad Fogderud was the son of a pioneer couple, Andrew and Ellen Fogderud. His dad homesteaded on Section 22-144-59 in Griggs County where they made their home.
Conrad attended a rural school nearby, but was forced to miss often, as he was needed to work on the farm. He had to assume responsibilities early in life as his father became ill and died in 1926. He continued to live on the farm with his mother.
In 1938 he married Sylvia Syvertson of rural Litchville, North Dakota. They continued to live on the same farm. They have two children:
Conrad was asked many times why he stayed on that farm because it seemed to be a storm center. He loved the farm and the many challenges that went with it. Four barns have been completely destroyed by tornadoes besides many other buildings being destroyed or damaged. The first one went in 1916, the second in the early 1930's, the third in 1957, and the fourth in 1973. The tornado in 1957 did the most extensive damage. It destroyed or damaged all the buildings on the farm except a brooder house. The permanent damage to the house was so great that a new one was built beside the old one. Conrad lived in the new house only two years before his sudden death May 1, 1970.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 293