Dr. Gerald Orlando Sveen, 96, of Bemidji MN and previously of Bottineau ND, passed away on September 23, 2021.

Born on December 7, 1924 in Bottineau, he was the son of Thorald and Inga (Nordsletten) Sveen. He moved with his family to Grand Forks ND in 1930 where he attended school through the 11 ^th grade. In 1941 they moved to Fargo ND, and he graduated with the Fargo High School Class of 1942. He attended the University of North Dakota from 1942-1943 and 1946-1947 and then went on to Temple University, Philadelphia PA receiving his DDS degree in 1951. Gerald established and maintained a dental practice in Bottineau for 39 years.

He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Air Force 1943-1945 as a B-24 navigator based in Italy, and in the US Army Paratroopers in the 11 ^th Airborne Division 1951-1953.

Service to his local community and state was of great importance to Gerald. He became involved in local government as an alderman 1956-1964 and served as mayor of Bottineau for 12 years from 1966-1978. He was the President of the Planning Commission from 1978-1982, past member of the Executive Board League of Cities and League Representative to State Judiciary Study Group. In 1992 Gerald was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives where he served on judiciary, education & transportation committees through 2000.

Gerald served as President and founding member of the Bottineau Lions Club, Good Samaritan Center and Bottineau Ambulance service. He served as chairperson for the Bottineau Centennial Celebration and fund drives for St. Andrew's Health Center, United Parish Church Council, and the Bottineau swimming pool. He has been president of the Oak Creek Cemetery Association, Vice President of the International Peace Garden, and a member of St. Andrew's Health Center Board of Directors.

He was a man of many hobbies and interests. Gerald raised Charolais cattle for many years, enjoyed golf, tennis, cross-country skiing, needlepoint, puzzles of all kinds, traveling & especially card playing with family & friends (even when he lost!). He could make a mean milkshake and delicious buttermilk pancakes.

Gerald married Ruth Ellen (Ertresvaag) on December 27, 1950 and were together for over 50 years when Ruth Ellen passed away in 2001. He later married Phyllis Baukol & moved to Bemidji where they enjoyed time with family and friends at their lake home. Phyllis passed away in October, 2020.

Preceded in death by parents Inga and Thorald; sisters, Thorice Brekke and Carol Bauer.

Survivors: son, Matthew (Pam) Sveen, Shorewood MN; daughters, Kate (Ken) Smith, Bedford IN, Mary Nell Langehaug, Bottineau; brother, John Sveen, Bozeman MT; eight grandchildren: Patrick (Char) and Isabelle Langehaug, Amanda (Ben) Cartwright, Erik (Carlyn) & Nick Sveen, Andrew, Ryan, and Kerry Quinlan; three great-grandchildren: Ethan, Emma and Eliott Cartwright.

A celebration of life will be held at the Bottineau United Parish church on Saturday, October 23 ^rd at 2:00pm.