Obituary
John O. “Sy” Syverson, 75, Mission, TX, Park Rapids, MN and formerly Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully at Sanford Palliative Care on August 20, 2013, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
John was born on the family farm in Ulen, Minnesota on July 16, 1938, to Oscar S. and Clara (Jenzer) Syverson, and was the youngest of seven sons. He grew up in Ulen, was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, attended grade school at District 48 County School and graduated from Ulen High School in 1955. He graduated from NDSU, Fargo, ND. His educational path continued to National Air War College, Montgomery, AL.
On June, 2, 1984, John married Diane E. Benson in Fargo, ND. During their 29 years of marriage they traveled the world together.
John’s passion was flying. His career began with the ND Air National Guard/Happy Hooligans, retiring as a LT. Col. after 30 years. In 1966 John was hired by Northwest Airlines, ending his career in 1998 as a 747-400 Captain.
Retirement was short lived as John became active in his other passion, politics. In 2003
he was elected to the North Dakota State Senate from District 45. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Fargo Planning Commission, Metro Council of Government, and on the Reed Township Board.
John was State President of the Air Force Association, member of the El Zagal Shrine, American Legion, Amvets, Daedalions, Airline Pilots Association, National Guard Association, First Lutheran Church, and was a member of the MIA Hunters in Papau, New Guinea.
John will be lovingly missed by his wife, Diane and daughter, Beth (Steve) Leonard of Chanhassen, MN. He is also survived by his brothers, Shelvin (Gladys), East Bethel, MN; Lowell, Wallace, and sister-in -law Penny, all of the Minneapolis area; sister-in-law, Bonnie, Park Rapids, MN; mother-in-law, Betty Benson, Fargo, ND; brother-in-law, Mike (Jan) Benson, Fargo, ND; and 27 nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Clara Syverson; brothers, Clinton, Aldus, and Dean; sisters-in-law, Vi and Betty; and Diane’s father, Lyle F. Benson.
Memorials are preferred to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, 820 4th St N, Fargo, ND 58102; First Lutheran Church, 619 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58102; North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St, Mandan, ND 58554, or a charity of your choice.
John was born on the family farm in Ulen, Minnesota on July 16, 1938, to Oscar S. and Clara (Jenzer) Syverson, and was the youngest of seven sons. He grew up in Ulen, was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, attended grade school at District 48 County School and graduated from Ulen High School in 1955. He graduated from NDSU, Fargo, ND. His educational path continued to National Air War College, Montgomery, AL.
On June, 2, 1984, John married Diane E. Benson in Fargo, ND. During their 29 years of marriage they traveled the world together.
John’s passion was flying. His career began with the ND Air National Guard/Happy Hooligans, retiring as a LT. Col. after 30 years. In 1966 John was hired by Northwest Airlines, ending his career in 1998 as a 747-400 Captain.
Retirement was short lived as John became active in his other passion, politics. In 2003
he was elected to the North Dakota State Senate from District 45. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Fargo Planning Commission, Metro Council of Government, and on the Reed Township Board.
John was State President of the Air Force Association, member of the El Zagal Shrine, American Legion, Amvets, Daedalions, Airline Pilots Association, National Guard Association, First Lutheran Church, and was a member of the MIA Hunters in Papau, New Guinea.
John will be lovingly missed by his wife, Diane and daughter, Beth (Steve) Leonard of Chanhassen, MN. He is also survived by his brothers, Shelvin (Gladys), East Bethel, MN; Lowell, Wallace, and sister-in -law Penny, all of the Minneapolis area; sister-in-law, Bonnie, Park Rapids, MN; mother-in-law, Betty Benson, Fargo, ND; brother-in-law, Mike (Jan) Benson, Fargo, ND; and 27 nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Clara Syverson; brothers, Clinton, Aldus, and Dean; sisters-in-law, Vi and Betty; and Diane’s father, Lyle F. Benson.
Memorials are preferred to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, 820 4th St N, Fargo, ND 58102; First Lutheran Church, 619 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58102; North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St, Mandan, ND 58554, or a charity of your choice.
To send flowers to the family in memory of John Oscar Syverson, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
August
23
First Lutheran Church - Fargo
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Memorial Service
August
23
First Lutheran Church - Fargo
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
John Oscar Syverson's Guestbook
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