Noel R. Drummond

Noel was a proud, happy, and beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, friend, and educator. Noel R Drummond, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Bethany on University in Fargo ND. He was born July 2, 1939 to Donald and Kate (Gummringer) Drummond in Maddock ND. He grew up in Oberon ND, with his parents and two sisters, Vanatta and Shelley. At an early age, he learned of his love of hunting, shooting his first goose as an 8 year-old. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, he joined the Navy at the age of 17 proudly serving four years. Upon completing his term there, he attended Lake Region Junior College and Mayville State, graduating in 1963 and May 1966, respectively. On June 16, 1966, Noel married Cleo (Krapp) Drummond, and he joined Cleo as a fellow educator, Noel teaching in Leeds ND and Cleo at the ND School for the Deaf in Devils Lake. After teaching in Alaska, and after spending a year in Oregon to allow Noel time to obtain a Master’s Degree, Noel and Cleo moved to Glenfield ND to live, teach, and raise their three children. Throughout their years in Glenfield, Noel earned other administrative certifications and proudly served the Midkota area school district as a teacher, principal, and superintendent until he retired in 1997. He would insert life-lessons in to his teaching and administrating whenever possible, giving many words of wisdom, encouragement, and advice. During his summer months, he worked as a crop adjuster for State Farm Ins. Noel loved all of his work – he was a dedicated family man and friend while at the same time influencing lives while serving the families of the school district. He deeply cared about the futures of his students, was able to teach the common man as well as future doctors, and was well-respected throughout the greater community. He knew his students very well – he knew who needed to be handled sternly as well as who needed a gentle hand. He was a passionate school sports fan and also gave back to his community by teaching hunter safety. During the fall months, you could find Noel in a field under a blind, in a road-side ditch, or in a rock pile shooting geese. After retirement, you could find Noel on the hunting trail seven days a week, hunting with his good buddies, sons, and nephews across ND as well as in to Canada. Nothing made him happier once his grandkids could come out on the hunt. In 2007, Noel and Cleo moved to Fargo to be closer to their family and enjoying their grandchildren’s activities. Noel enjoyed the family gatherings and visits, and he especially enjoyed watching Cleo interact with the grandchildren. Noel is survived by his wife, Cleo, three children, Don (Amy) Drummond, Scott (Carrie Brezden) Drummond, Suzanne (Justin) Fox, and grandchildren Madison, Ryan, Megan, Jake, and Kate, all of Fargo; sister Shelley (Bob) McMaster, Napa, CA; sister-in-law Shirley Palmer, Fargo; nephews: Rex King Jr., Chris (Kristi) Palmer, Chuck (Jennifer) Palmer, Curt (Punker) (Lana) Palmer; nieces: Christie McMaster, Mary (Shawn) Bjonfald, Corine King, and Christine (Eric) Leigland; and other cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Drummond and Kate (Gummringer) Drummond; sister, Vanatta King; mother-in-law, Ann Stocking; brother-in-law, Denny Palmer; and nephew, Robert McMaster. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (710 10th St S, Fargo) at 5PM followed by a prayer service at 6:30PM. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 11AM at St. Anthony of Padua with a visitation just prior from 10AM to 11AM. Burial will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the Fargo National Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com