Gordon A. Brandvold

Gordon A. Brandvold 

(May 8, 1945 – November 12, 2021)

Gordon A. Brandvold, age 76, passed away Friday, November 12, 2021 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Gordon A. Brandvold was born May 8, 1945 in Minot, North Dakota to Peter O. Brandvold and Esther Knapstad Brandvold.  Gordon attended a one room school house from his first grade until eighth grade.  When Gordon started ninth grade at Minot High School in Minot, the family moved off the farm in Ryder, North Dakota to Minot where Gordon graduated from Minot High School in 1963.  Gordon went on to complete his education at Minot State College where he graduated in 1968 with a degree in education.  Gordon enlisted in the Navy and served until he was honorably discharged.  Once returning to North Dakota, Gordon decided to move to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he worked in banking for a short time.  Gordon returned to North Dakota and started his teaching career in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  He met his future wife, Denise Spangelo, while she was student teaching.   They were married on July 29, 1972.  Throughout their marriage, Gordon did different jobs besides teaching.  He sold insurance and worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad.  Railroading was always his true passion and a very important part of his life.

Gordon attended the University of  North Dakota where he obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Geography.  This was the spark that inspired Gordon to write a book about geography and railroading in North Dakota.  He had numerous hobbies which included model railroading, photography, reading and traveling.  His photography collection included more than 40,000 slides/prints of trains.  His book of trains is currently being published.  Every family gathering Gordon has his camera to take pictures and document our special occasions.  He was also a lifelong learner reading a variety of topics and encouraging others to also read and never stop learning.

While in Devils Lake, Gordon was a member of the Eagles Club and the Elks Club.

Gordon was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He loved giving the grandkids rides on the riding lawn mower, taking them to the TWINS baseball games, MN Vikings football games, and on vacations to Disney World and Washington DC.  This was his opportunity to have the grandkids experience history. He loved going to all the football games, band concerts, tennis matches, and any other activities the grandkids were involved in.  Gordon loved meeting new people and once a friendship was started he was a friend for life.  He will dearly be missed by all who knew him.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 49 ½ years, Denise, Grand Forks, ND; his children Jason (Shera) Brandvold, Grand Forks, ND, Eric (Jeanne) Brandvold of Perham, MN.  Grandchildren: Dawson, Ethan, Noah of Grand Forks, Alana, Elsa, Ewan of Perham, MN. Siblings: Robert (Karen) Brandvold Colorado Springs, CO., Gloria (Steven) Eisenberg, Eagan, MN,  Rodney Brandvold, Lisbon, ND.  Sister in law: Gayle (Larry) Klinkers, Kalamazoo, MI. Nephews; Brian Spangelo, Grand Rapids, MI., Kevin Spangelo, Kalamazoo, MI., Matthew Eisenberg,  St. Paul, MN.  Niece: Paula Grace, Minneapolis, MN.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Esther Brandvold.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, November 18^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Service will be live-streamed at facebook.com/stolaflutheranchurchdevilslake.