Oscar Ambers

oscar ambers
On December 8th, 2020, Oscar Marvin Ambers passed away suddenly from natural causes at Essentia Health in Fargo. He is now with our Heavenly Father after years of battling organ failure. Oscar was born on the 10th of January 1947 to Oscar Sr. and Inga (Simonsen) of Hamberg, North Dakota as the youngest of five children. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Maddock High School in 1965 and subsequently from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. After graduation Oscar was drafted in the United States Army where he served in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star in the process of serving his country. Oscar carried the mental and physical scars of war with him for the rest of his life and was a member and supporter of the Disabled American Veterans charity. Oscar was married twice, first to Rachel (Ellingson) of Maddock, North Dakota and then to Sally (Rice) also of Maddock, North Dakota becoming stepfather to Clint (Hvinden) and Shirlene (Hvinden) whom he loved dearly. With Sally he had his only biological child, Kevin (36) of West Fargo. Oscar operated Ambers Construction for the better part of twenty years before his retirement in 2003. He spent his retirement years battling his many ailments, always keeping a keen sense of humor. Those who knew him often spoke of his kind, generous and honorable demeanor. He spent his last many months getting to know his first grandchild, Gwendolen. He will be greatly missed. Oscar was preceded in death by his father Oscar Sr., his mother Inga, his brother Sander (Gloria), and his sister Betty (Lloyd) Nielsen. He is survived by his son Kevin, daughter-in-law Lily, Granddaughter Gwendolen, stepson Clint Hvinden, stepdaughter Shirlene Hvinden, sister Leona (John) Werner, sister Norma (Carl) Nicholson and many nieces and nephews. Per Oscar's request there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to Oscar's favorite charities: The Salvation Army, Valley Senior Services and the Disabled American Veterans.

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  1. Mr. Ambers, unfortunately we had never met, but I’ve spent years in conversation with your son and we spoke of you so often, I felt as though I knew you. I am heartfully sorry that such time and distance separated us, as I believe I would have gained from your wisdom and greatly enjoyed talking with you about mountain men and frontier life. Godspeed my friend and may you find comfort and peace in the hereafter.

  2. ¬¬December 11, 2020

    To: Oscar Ambers Family and Friends
    From: Gene Shannon, Fargo and Bellingham, WA

    My Remembrance of Oscar Anders.

    Over lunch one day, Peg’s husband Frank Racek asked me if I’d be interested in meeting a guy he knew who was a really great handyman. Timing was great as I really needed somebody like that. Frank said: “His name is Oscar and he’s had some ups and downs but I think you might like him.”

    The first work I had ready was installation of maple flooring, difficult work and probably not the best job to start out with someone new. I asked Frank if he though Oscar could handle it and he got that look: “If Oscar says it can’t be done, then it can’t be done. Everything else he can probably do.”

    On Oscar’s first day, I showed him two living room apartments in a turn-of-the century building we had on Fargo’s Island Park. We wanted to dress them out with new maple flooring befitting its historic heritage.

    We looked over the job, Oscar asked a few questions, nodded a few times and then just step by step made magic. The first floor went so well he offered to design and install a unique angled pattern design for the 2nd living room apartment and trimmed it off with oak base and wainscoting. His work was beyond wonderful and he went on to be my best go-to-guy and, more importantly, he became a dear friend.

    We welcomed the opportunity to work together off and on for another three years, 1995 through 1997, the time during which I managed Park Towers. This eight-story dowager was built in 1963 but had been set adrift for years so there was plenty to do. Within weeks, Oscar was known building wide-by the forty or so residents as this shy, friendly guy who could really do stuff. Resident’s loved him and baked him cookies too!

    Our last project with Oscar was in 2003 and I thought it might put him to the test……is it impossible to do or not? Before guessing at the answer, wait ’til you know what was wrong.

    My wife Connie and I were planning to sell our home in spring of 2003 and we were not sure what had been slowly happening to its roof. It was a nice home but had been added onto three times. Invisible framing was suspect so Oscar came over to have a look. He asked a few questions, nodded a few times and then stared at the building from several angles. Then he said: “The roof is collapsing and the walls are tipping out”

    “Oh, is that all?” I stumbling to get the words out.. But this was Oscar so I took a deep breath and was hopeful he might have a plan.

    Silly me, of course he did.

    Within days, he had gone into his shop and welded up a series of custom steel brackets to anchor the lower ends of the main rafters, arranged to add steel cabling with turnbuckles. And then with some come-along winches and two beefy friends who were fireman, we were able to draw everything back into place and secure it all. The brick-clad walls groaned back into place and the roof assumed its rightful slope. It was cold that day and Oscar watched it come together from the warmth of his truck with his coffee.

    Even though his health was fading, once again, Oscar made magic!

    Oscar Ambers was such a joy, we laughed a lot and traded our hearts about life’s joys and tribulations. How I treasure these lifelong memories.

    Oscar Ambers was husband, a father, step father, a veteran, a carpenter, a friend to so many and a lamb of God.

    Oscar Ambers was born to the gently rolling hills of Maddock, North Dakota on October 10, 1947. The Good Shepherd called home this tender soul to join others of His flock this December 8, 2020.

    God rest his soul.

    Gene Shannon, Oscar’s friend


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