Gordon Vaagen

Private funeral services for Gordon Vaagen, 82, of Taylor, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 27, 2020 with Rev. Bob Nordvall officiating. Private graveside services will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

To view the live webcast of Gordon’s funeral service, please go to www.stevensonfuneralhome.com, click on Gordon’s photo, select photos and videos. The livestream will be active 15 minutes before the service

Please follow social distancing guidelines and mask recommendations provided by the department of health while attending services for Gordon.

Public visitation for Gordon will be 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 27, 2020 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson.

Gordon passed away Friday, November 20, 2020 at the Richardton Health Care Center.

Gordon Lowell was born September 27, 1938 in Richardton, son of Roland and Opal (Poppe) Vaagen. He grew up on a farm 13 miles North of Taylor, one of eight children. Gordon attended country school and public school in Taylor, graduating in 1956. He was baptized and confirmed at Ridgeway Lutheran Church. On December 6, 1961, Gordon was drafted into the US Army at Fort Riley, Kansas and then transferred to Ft. Hood, Texas 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides). He was honorably discharged in 1963 as a SGT E-5. Gordon met his future wife Patty in Taylor, on Halloween night of 1964. He was challenged by friends to ask her to dance, and they continued dancing together for the next 55 years. The couple was engaged by Christmas 1965 and married on June 27, 1966 at St. Mary’s Church in Richardton. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Kirsten, Emory, Reid, and Dawn. Together they made their home in Taylor where Gordon served as a Post Master from August 1967 to his retirement in June 1998. He took great pride in farming with his father North of Taylor until 1978. In retirement, Gordon worked for Price-Murphy Funeral Home and later for Stevenson Funeral Home.

Gordon cherished his time together with his family and especially his grandkids. He enjoyed cooking and reading cookbooks. Gordon was a fantastic neighbor, always willing to lend a hand. He was often known as a jack of all trades. Music was a very important part of Gordon’s life. He was a member of the ND Council on the Arts and became an apprentice and master violin maker. He proudly made a violin for each of his children. Gordon also founded the old timer band called The Friday Nite Gang, and was a member of the Roughrider Barbershop Chorus. Although he was never formally trained, he was incredibly musically inclined and could make music with nearly any instrument.

Gordon was an active member of Taylor Lutheran Church and served on the church board. He also served as a city councilman in Taylor and was a member of the Richardton Ambulance Service, American Legion Post 180, and Elks Lodge 1137.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Patricia of Dickinson; children, Kirsten (Ty) Fuglseth of Fertile, MN, and their children, Kennedy Fuglseth, Madison (Michael) Tate, Britton Fuglseth, and Dawson Fuglseth; Emory (Deb) Vaagen of Taylor, ND and their children Carly (Blaine) Lawrence, Gabe Vaagen, and Olivia Vaagen; Reid (Denise Brossart) Vaagen of Gladstone, and his children Mack Vaagen, Mason Vaagen, and Finnly Vaagen; and Dawn (Allen) Pritchard of West Fargo, ND and their children Alanna Pritchard and Gabby Pritchard; sister, Enola Lambeff of Lewistown, MT; and sister-in-law, Mardella Vaagen of Miles City, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Opal Vaagen; brothers, Merle (Marlys), Lyle (Norma), Marvin, Sam, Bob, and Gary.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Gordon’s name to the Taylor Opera House – City of Taylor PO Box 68, Taylor, ND 58656 and Lewy Body Dementia Association – 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047.