Joseph "Joe" W. Hjelseth

Joseph “Joe” Wayne Hjelseth, age 61, resident of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021, with his mother and sister by his side, after a long fought battle with ALS.

Joe was born July 22, 1960 in Michigan, ND, the son of Norbert and Marion (Senger) Hjelseth.  There he grew up and was baptized & confirmed at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church.  While in high school, he played basketball and was quarterback of the football team, graduating in 1978.  He lived in Devils Lake, ND for a number of years, and he and Korene Kvalevog had a son, Marcus, in 1986.  Joe also worked for Burlington Northern Railroad in Grand Forks, and retired in 1987 due to a back injury.  For years he owned and maintained properties, painted, and worked for the City of East Grand Forks and Sunshine Terrace in maintenance.  Many would say Joe was very fussy about things, even a perfectionist, and when Joe fixed something, it stayed fixed.  His pickup may not have been new, but he made sure it shined, as he always took good care of it.  He truly took pride in all that he did.  Joe loved to fish and talk about fishing.  He loved to cook and was good at that as well, particularly chili and bean & ham soup.  He was an avid Tom Brady fan and followed him no matter what team he played for.  Even though he was a very private man, nothing was more important to Joe than his family.  He and his son were very close.  When Marcus came to his dad for advice, he loved that Joe could always see things from a different angle.  They would spend hours on the phone as they cooked their suppers, Marcus in Devils Lake and Joe in Grand Forks.  He loved spending time with his grandkids, and especially enjoyed teaching them to do things, like mowing the lawn.  Frequently he called his mom and was always fixing or doing something around her house.  Many days you could find Joe helping out friends with their yard or home repairs as well.

Joe is survived by his mother & step father, Marion & Rodger Wyman of Grand Forks; son, Marcus Kvalevog of Devils Lake: grandchildren, Krimson Kronsberg, Khloe Kronsberg, and Kyler Kvalevog; brother, Michael Hjelseth of Grand Forks; sister, Bea Ferguson of Fargo; step brother, Brett (Sherry) Wyman; step sisters, Jill Danielson and Anne (Scott) Alger; special friend, Linda Kossow; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Norbert Hjelseth; sister, Kimberly Hjelseth; brother, David Hjelseth; grandparents, Joe & Margaret Senger and Rena & Nelvin Hjelseth; aunts & uncles, Jane Senger, Harley Hjelseth, and Maynard & Delores Hjelseth.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church in Michigan, ND, on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be in the Michigan Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Church on Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of Mass.

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