Ames Grindahl, 80, of Fargo, died Saturday at Elim Care Center in Fargo.

Ames (Amos) was born July 12, 1932, in Litchville, ND, to parents Carl and Amy Grindahl and was the oldest of six children. He spent his early years helping on the farm until joining the U.S. Navy in 1952, where he served as a gunner on an aircraft carrier.

On Jan. 9, 1956, he married Philomena (Phyllis) Chiarella in Bel Air, MD, and in 1963, they had their son, John. Ames worked for Northern Improvement in Fargo as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. After retiring, he liked collecting a variety of items, as well as giving things he found to family and friends. He enjoyed collecting toy trains and restoring old Army Jeeps with his son. Ames liked to tell stories and jokes, even if he had told them to you before. He also enjoyed driving around town in his red pickup with his faithful dog, Iggy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his parents, Carl and Amy; and a sister, Joan. He is survived by his son, John (Roni), two grandsons, Casey (Trisha) and Zachary; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley.