Fogderud, Conrad and Sylvia

 

Conrad Fogderud was born on September  9, 1903, to a pioneer couple, Andrew and Ellen Anna Fogderud.  His father homesteaded in Greenfield Township on Section 22-144-59, where they made their home.

Conrad attended the Goplen School, but was forced to miss often as he was needed to work on the farm.  He had to assume many responsibilities early in life as his father became ill and later died in 1926.  He continued to live on the farm with his mother after his father's death.

In 1938, Conrad was married to Sylvia Syvertson of rural Litchville, North Dakota.  Sylvia was teaching at the Stromme School, but was allowed to finish her term even though she was married.

Conrad was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  He was church treasurer for over 17 years and was a Sunday School teacher.  He served on the Greenfield school board and later served as treasurer of Hannaford Public School district for 11 years.  Sylvia is also active in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  She taught in the elementary grades for 30 years before retiring in 1977.

Conrad and Sylvia have two daughters, Myrna and Connie.

Myrna graduated from Hannaford High School in 1962, and also was a graduate of Capitol Commercial College in Bismarck, North Dakota.  She is married to Harland Haugen, son of Harry and Ann Haugen, rural Dazey, North Dakota.  Myrna is employed at the Valley City Multi-District Vocational Center and Harland works in sales.  They have three children: Kimberly, Ricky and Wade.

Kimberly was born May 16, 1966.  She resides in Valley City and is employed at the Sheyenne Care Center.

Ricky was born December 1, 1967, and is a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corp.

Wade was born June 6, 1978, and is a student in the Valley City Public Schools.

Connie graduated from Hannaford High School in 1967, and is also a graduate of Valley City State University.  She was an elementary instructor for 4 1/2 years at Oakes, North Dakota.   Connie then moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where she worked for Nodak Mutual Insurance company for over 10 years.  The next two years Connie lived in Bismarck, North Dakota, and worked for Missouri River Underwriters.  In 1988, Connie moved to Cooperstown, North Dakota, and is a partner in All-Tri Chemical and All-Tri Insurance Agency.

Conrad was asked many times why he stayed on the farm his parents had homesteaded 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 barn went in 1916, the second in the early 1930s, the third in 1957, and the fourth in 1973.  The tornado in 1957 did the most extensive damage.  All of the buildings on the farm were destroyed or damaged with the exception of a brooder house.  The permanent damage to the house was so great that a new one was built beside the old house.  Conrad lived in the new house for only two years before his sudden death on May 1, 1970.

Sylvia Fogderud continues to live on the original Andrew L. Fogderud homestead.  This farm has been designated as an official North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Farm.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 116