Henry Ness

Henry N. Ness, 95, Fargo passed away Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead.

Henry was born February 21, 1918 near Edmore, ND to Nils and Anna (Johanessen) Ness. He graduated from Starkweather High School. He went on to attend college at North Dakota Agricultural College, graduating in 1941 with a degree in Agriculture. He taught for a year in Cavalier, ND before WWII intervened. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Army Air Force where he spent three years in the Air Transport Command.

On June 20, 1943, Henry married Adeline Fish in Denver, CO. After Henry was discharged, he worked as a county agent in Stanley, LaMoure and Fargo, ND. In 1959, he began his career in the banking industry at Fargo National Bank, later First Interstate and Community First. He retired in 1982.

Henry served as President of the North Dakota Bankers Association from 1977-1978 as well as serving as director on the 9^th District Federal Reserve Board from 1980-1982.  He also managed Senator Mark Andrews Farm for 10 years.

Through his career as a banker and a county agent, his passion was assisting farmers with the financial support, business advances and developments to make the family farm a success. He enjoyed time at his lake cabin on Pelican Lake, golfing and his retirement years spent in Arizona.  His legacy to his daughters was to impress upon them the importance of time spent together with both immediate and our large extended family.

Henry is survived by his children, Arlene (James) Higgs, Stillwater, MN; Vicki Gushwa, Fargo, ND; Laurie (Dan) Carey, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Michael (Carrie) Higgs, Adam Gushwa, Nathan Gushwa, Justin Carey, Lindsay Carey and Jordan Carey; great-grandchild, Wyatt Higgs; sisters, Esther Sobak, Fargo, ND and Solveig Tvedten, Edina, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Adeline; brothers, Norman, Arnold, Ralph, Oscar, Roy and Walter; son-in-law, Dean Gushwa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.