Curtis Borud

Curtis Dale Borud, 87, entered Eternal Patrol, passing away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at St Catherines N in Fargo, ND.

Curtis Borud was born June 17, 1937, to Conroy and Onnelee (Crain) Borud, at home, in Galesburg, ND. Curtis grew up in West End Township and attended schools in West End and Wyndmere, ND. He graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1955.

Curt worked with his dad, Conroy, trucking for Farmers Grain and Fuel and in the oil fields in western ND. In March 1957, he joined the Navy. He completed Submarine Engineering at the Submarine School in New London, CT. He qualified (received his Dolphins) in 1958 on the USS Razorback 394 in San Diego, CA. During this time Curt and Phyllis (Lekang) were married in the Wyndmere Lutheran Church on June 28th, 1959. Phyllis joined him in San Diego. He was honorably discharged, Engineman 2nd Class-EN2(SS), in March 1961.

Curt worked with William Collins & Sons Construction, Fargo, ND. He was a heavy-equipment mechanic for 5 years, working long hours and days building the highways and interstates. In January 1967, Curt relocated his family to Babbitt, MN, on the Iron Range. In Babbitt, Curt worked for Reserve Mining Company as a Locomotive Mechanic in the Railroad Shop. Curt, Phyllis and their children lived in Babbitt for 17 years where Curt was very involved in his community. He was a volunteer for the local fire department (3 years as Fire Chief) ambulance crew and maintenance. Curt had his own side business “Curt’s Outboard Repair.” He repaired over 100 motors for the public and an additional 40 motors for Timber Bay Lodge every season. There wasn’t much Curt couldn’t fix. Curt also continued his time in the Airforce and Army National Guards while in Babbitt. He was a man of faith and was active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, snowmobile, watch a lot of hockey and he made life-long friends. Curt’s favorite thing about living in Northeast Minnesota was having family come visit and go camping in the BWCA (in the winter too). However, as much as he loved “The Range”, he truly was a North Dakota boy at heart. Curt loved the big open skies, grasslands, sandhills, checking out the crops and hunting pheasant and deer with family.

In the early 80’s, Curtis and Phyllis moved to Wahpeton, ND. Curt began to work for Gutzmer Construction Company as a mechanic and welder on heavy equipment and trucks. In 1989 Curt and Phyllis built a home in Wyndmere and lived there close to 20 years. Curt retired from Gutzmer’s in 2003; however, he still worked as a bus driver for the Wyndmere Schools. He also worked as a sexton for Elk Creek Cemetery and helped local farmers. He continued his volunteering in leadership and faith at Wyndmere Lutheran Church.

In 2012 Curt and Phyllis moved to Kindred, ND to downsize and to be able to enjoy spending time with family, friends and traveling. They enjoyed new friends and fellowship at Kindred Lutheran Church and Senior Citizens. Curt especially enjoyed watching the Wyndmere and Kindred Football and Basketball games. Traveling brought him joy in watching Grandchildren in sports, musicals, Borud Reunions and visiting the Razorback Museum in Little Rock AR. It was at this time that his relationship with daughter Sheila began to grow.

Curtis loved his family. He provided well for them. He was quite the storyteller (everyone loved to hear about his childhood and infamous submarine tales). Curt had the best smile and dry sense of humor; he had a grin that made him endear to you. He was an extraordinary man.

He is survived by his children; Sheila (Steve) Haberman, Wahpeton, ND; Shawn (Tim) Tweiten, West Fargo, ND; Troy (Sue) Borud, Oxbow, ND; Candice (Dan) Gulbranson, Oklahoma City, OK. Grandchildren, Ben (Vanessa) Haberman, Lance (Anissa) Haberman, Krissy Borud, Kami Tweiten, Tim Tweiten, Nick (Kelly) Tweiten, Mason (Alissa) Borud, Conor (Morgan) Borud, Payton (Jordan) Piatz, Danielle Gulbranson, Seth Gulbranson, Anna Gulbranson. Great-grandchildren: Addison Haberman; Mason, Laci and Stevie Haberman; Hayden and Brodie Borud, Jack Piatz and Ezekiel Hines.

He was also survived by his sister: Shirley Berg, his brother: Jim (Mary) Borud, brother-in-law: Roy (Carla) Lekang, Richard (Joyce) Lekang, James (Donna) Lekang, and sister-in-law Judy (Rodney) Rudolph as well as his 25 nieces and nephews and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his wife, Phyllis, by his parents, mother and father-in-law: Paul and Erma Lekang, his sister: Lenora (Davis) Jensen, his brothers: Gary Borud and David Borud; sister-in-laws: Gail Lekang and JoAnn Lekang and brother-in-laws: Don Davis, Max Jensen, Rich Berg, and Jack Lekang.

Curt’s family would like to extend their gratitude for all the love and kindness shown to Dad.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Wyndmere Lutheran Church, Kindred Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

We invite you to join us for a luncheon following the service at the Church. The burial will be at Elk Creek Cemetery with Military Rites, after lunch.

Funeral Service: 1 pm, Friday, January 17, 2025, Wyndmere Lutheran Church, Wyndmere, ND – Visitation starting at 11:30 am.

Burial: Elk Creek Cemetery, Wyndmere, ND