David O. Asleson

David “Norgy” O. Asleson, age 77, passed away peacefully at Farmstead Living Memory Care in Moorhead, Minnesota, on October 8, 2025, under the care of HIA Hospice.

David was born to Orris K. and Dorothy Livdahl Asleson, on March 28, 1948, in Moorhead, Minnesota. David attended Moorhead Public Schools and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1966. During his formative years growing up, he spent most weekends at the Asleson and Livdahl farms at Ulen. Here he developed his strong work ethic and love for the great outdoors. Even though he was from the town of Moorhead, he proudly declared himself a “farm kid.” After high school he attended Moorhead State College, graduating with a degree in history. While at MSC he joined Xi Omega fraternity which later merged with Phi Sigma Epsilon. Here he became lifelong friends with many of his new found “brothers”. He earned a master's degree in geography from the University of Wyoming in 1975.

David began working for the U.S. Forest Service in Avery, Idaho, during the summer following high school graduation. At the bottom of a canyon, the remote little town of Avery on the St. Joe River became pivotal in his life. He scouted for fires as a lookout on one of the fire towers in the St. Joe National Forest and worked seasonally in the woods on forestry and fire crews while attending college in Minnesota and Wyoming. He quickly earned the nickname “Norgy,” based on his Norwegian heritage. It remained his lifetime moniker while his forestry career in Avery spanned twenty-some years.

In 1981 David achieved a master's degree in forestry and served for a time as a forester for the Bureau of Indians Affairs in Hoquiam, Washington. He continued his professional career with the U.S. Forest Service in various positions in Washington, Montana, and Idaho. During one of his forestry positions in the mid-1980’s, he met the love of his life, Teresa Smith, also an employee of the Forest Service. Like the trees of the forest, their love grew, and they married June 23, 1990.

In 1991 David and Teresa moved to Priest Lake, Idaho, and he retired from the Forest Service in 2003. After retirement and their relocation to Helena, Montana, he worked several years for the state of Montana and as co-editor of the Montana Magazine. Teresa and Norgy spent nearly 25 years together before their individual life’s journey moved them in separate directions when he moved to his beautiful log home near rural Vergas, MN , and she stayed in Helena. They remained heartfelt friends over the years exchanging visits to both Minnesota and Montana. Shortly after his move to Vergas he shared his love of service to his community by joining the Vergas Lions.

David “Norgy” matched his passion for life with a unique and colorful personality. He truly never met a stranger and cherished a vast web of close friends during his lifetime. As leader of many employees during his career, he charged ahead up mountain trails, waiting impatiently with a grin for the rest of his crew members, many of whom later joined his cadre of friends. His life was not just about work--he enjoyed a Grainbelt Premium in the local pub and hoisted a few at lively gatherings of friends and family. But coffee ruled the day, always coffee brewed in an old fashioned percolator! Although David was a well known writer, “Uffda” and “Skol” were two of his favorite words in his vast vocabulary.

David was very competitive in both work and play. He loved whist, cribbage, and board games and “claimed” to be the horseshoe champion of Avery. He had a passion for a meticulous yard and his beloved flower beds where he spent many hours on his hands and knees pulling weeds and that dreaded quack grass. When he wasn’t busy in his yard, you would probably find him hiking trails in the mountains and later in his beloved Minnesota, often at Maplewood State Park. A handy cook, “Norgy’s” pie crust was “ma’s best”. He and Teresa were the consummate hosts, especially during David’s favorite holiday season, Christmas. That was when he whipped up many traditional Norwegian treats like lefse, krumkake, and rosettes. Oh, how he loved sending out Christmas cards-- numbering in the hundreds, each year with an original animal sketch and a special message. With most of them, he sent a lengthy handwritten message in cursive writing…not quite as legible as what they taught in elementary school.

During David’s career he received many awards and recognition from his superiors. But his fascination with local history and those who lived it highlighted a professional achievement in 1980: the publication of Up the Swiftwater A Pictorial History of the Colorful Upper St. Joe River Country. The book was co-authored with long-time friend, Sandy (Sandra A.) Crowell and culminated his seven-year dream and love of the Avery community. The Museum of Northern Idaho in Coeur d’Alene subsequently re-published Up the Swiftwater several times. It remains a classic, cherished to this day.

In addition to the book venture and initiating the Avery Museum in the former train depot, David researched family history. Born into a strong Norwegian family, “Norgy” picked up a definite brogue at an early age that he carried through life. His celebrations of Norwegian Independence Day and Akvait (“water of life”) were legendary. He harbored boxes full of genealogy on the Asleson and Livdahl families, researching as far back as the 1400’s. Several trips to his ancestral Norway brought him great joy walking the fields of original homesteads.

David was preceded in death by his parents Orris and Dorothy Asleson; brother Kenneth Asleson; and niece Cindy Asleson Smith. Left to celebrate his life are his sister Linda Asleson and niece Randi Asleson; niece Kerri Asleson Smith and nephew Evan Asleson; former wife Teresa Asleson, Godmother Alice Mathison, several cousins, caring neighbors Jane and Doug Safar, brothers of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, fellow members of the Vergas Lions, and innumerable associates and friends.

The life of David “Norgy” Asleson was treasured by many, many people. He was a great teacher about the forest and the environment and life. His impact on friends and family cannot be adequately reflected in a few paragraphs. But the love, the blessings and the grace he displayed

to those he loved will be cherished around kitchen tables, fire pits, and pubs for years to come, “Skol”!

Blessed be the memory of David “Norgy” Asleson.

David’s family and friends express their sincere appreciation to the loving staff at Farmstead Assisted Living and HIA Hospice. Memorials are recommended to Avery Citizens Committee online at averydepot.weeby.com or by check to P.O. Box 143, 10 Depot Road, Avery, ID 83802

Visitation will be Saturday, October 11, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Funeral service will be Sunday, October 12, at 2:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, MN.

Interment will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, MN.