Gordon Lonning

Gordon Lonning, 84, died Tuesday, July 12, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck after battling Alzheimer’s disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 am Friday, July 15, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd Street, Bismarck, with Rev. Raphael Obotama officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, July 14, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will be held at 7:00 PM. Born and raised in Mandan, the son of Erick and Ida Lonning, Gordon was a lifelong resident of Bismarck. He served in the Army during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge. Gordon attended trade school and became a skilled and highly respected electrician, working on many projects including the Minuteman missile launch facilities, the World Trade center in New York City, and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in Beulah, ND. For the last fifteen years of his career he worked for 3M as a contactor overseeing electrical project management, safety and quality control. Gordon was handy with his hands and helped many family members over the years on ranch and home projects that included; masonry, woodworking, plumbing and electrical work. He believed that “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right”. Gordon also had a passion for hunting and fishing and spent many long days walking the prairie and relaxing on the Missouri river with his family. He enjoyed listening to music and never missed an episode of Lawrence Welk. He also enjoyed photography and would often take photos of work sites and surrounding landscapes as well as serving as the family archivist and videographer. He spent many sleepy Christmas mornings taking videos of excited children opening presents or recording the crazy antics of relatives at family gatherings. He was an avid walker and devoted Christian. He leaves his wife of 59 years, Viola (Berger) Lonning; his son, Gary and his wife Karla, of Minot, ND and their children, Brandyn, Chantry, and Kelsey; his son, Scott and wife Shaparak, of Westford, MA, and their children, Cody, Iman, and Sarra; his daughter, Kelly and husband Les Bjore, of Grand Forks, and their children, Zack, Nick and Eric; his five great-grandchildren; his sister, Evelyn Conitz; ; special friend, Ken Fetch; and numerous other friends and extended family.