Denis "Izzy" Isrow

Denis “Izzy” Isrow, 76, of Fargo, ND, died Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Eventide on 8th, Moorhead, MN. After a courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

Denis Francis Isrow was born February 26, 1936 in Detroit, MI to Francis and Dorothy (Dockter) Isrow. He attended school at St. Anthony Catholic School, graduating in 1955. He then joined the US Marine Corps, serving until 1959. He served as a medic in the North Dakota Air National Guard and the South Dakota Army Guard. He later attended the University of Detroit before transferring to Adams State (CO) College in 1961. While completing work on his degree in physical education he served as a student athletic trainer. He earned his master's degree from NDSU in 1965 and a doctorate of education from the University of Utah in 1975.

Izzy married Geraldine E. (Wasfaret) Steen on August 22, 1964 in Dilworth, MN. Together, they raised their five children in Fargo. They enjoyed going to Bison game and going on family vacation to Michigan. Izzy and Gerry loved spending time with their three granddaughters.

He was very active in the community, including work with the American Red Cross. Izzy taught first aid classes/ CPR for local fire departments and rescue squads in ND and MN and and EMT for 35 years. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Prairie Learning Center in Raleigh, ND. Denis was recently recognized by United Blood Services for donating 25 gallons of blood throughout his lifetime. He was also the recipient of the Hero Award for the work that he did as a CPR instructor.

The honors and accolades were many for the Detroit, Mich., native, even though “Izzy” never had much time for the limelight. He was inducted in the North Central Conference Hall of Fame in 1988, the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1995. the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1996 and the North Dakota Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1997.


He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gerry; children, Brad (Andrea) Steen, Greenwood, IN; Denise (Dave) Janssen, Maplewood, MN; Dirk (Andrea) Isrow, Detroit, MI; and Tracy Isrow, Playa del Rey, CA; sisters, Dorothy (Jake) Kohler, Elizabeth Kris, Geraldine Dettmer, and Margaret Harshman; grandchildren, Nicole Janssen, and Samantha and Katrina Isrow; numerous nieces and nephew and a special daughter-in-law, Kelly Isrow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Buck and Dorothy Isrow; son, Bryan Steen; and siblings, Suzanne, Paul and Robert.

The Isrow family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the special friends and caregivers who helped Izzy and Gerry throughout his long illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Red Cross, Hospice of the Red River Valley, and donations to the North Dakota State University Development Foundation, include in memo line, Buck (Francis) & Honey (Dorothy) Isrow Scholarship – 1241 University Drive North. Fargo, ND 58102.