Elmer Severson, 100, Fessenden, passed away Monday, February 13, 2017 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey. His funeral will be held Saturday, February 18, at 11:00 a. m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fessenden with burial in the Hillside Cemetery of Fessenden. Visitation will be held Friday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden.

Elmer Severson, son of August and Rebecca (Hotchkiss) Severson, was born February 12, 1917 in Antigo, WI. The family lived on a farm just outside of Fessenden until the sudden death of their father in 1925, when they moved into town. He attended Fessenden Public School, graduating in 1936.
Elmer served in the Army with the 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard during World War II from May 1941 to July 1945. He served 3 years in North Africa and Italy. While in Africa, his regiment received a Presidential Unit Citation under the command of General George Patton.
Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Fessenden and on August 15, 1949 he was married to Myra Pross in Fessenden. Elmer served as Wells County Auditor until 1955 at which time he was appointed Postmaster of Fessenden. He retired in July 1979.
He was a part time employee of Nelson Funeral Home and grounds keeper for the Fessenden Country Club for several years.
He served on the City Council and belonged to the Fessenden Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He was also a member of the Civic and Commerce Association, and a lifetime member of the Frank Proisl American Legion Post #33 of Fessenden.
He became a resident of the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in October 2012.
He is survived by his wife; sons, Larry, Miles City, MT; Dean, Chandler, AZ; and Paul (Rebecca) Severson, Burnsville, MN; daughter, Connie (Dale) Mason, Fessenden, ND; four grandchildren, Mike (Kelly) Severson, Ashley (Hali) Scher, Chad (Seetha) Mason and Mitch (Tawny) Mason; two step grandchildren, Karli (Grant) Ronchi and Bryan Condon; 3 great-grandchildren, Brayden Severson, and Charlie & Steven Mason; one step great grandson, Jack Ronchi; two sisters, June Rost, Harvey, ND, and Fern Gunderson, New Rockford, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Donald, George and Harold Severson and sisters Blanch Martin and Faye Lenz.