Ralph Milton “Bud” Svedahl, 83, of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday, June 5, 2020, at Vibra Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Bud was born in Crookston on February 1, 1937, one of five children of the union of Leonard and Regina (Teuber) Svedahl. He grew up in Crookston, attended Crookston schools, and was a very talented high school athlete. As a senior, he proudly participated in the Minnesota State High School Track Meet held in the Twin Cities. Bud graduated from 
Central High School with the Class of 1955 and continued to enjoy lifelong friendships with several of his classmates. After high school, he was employed by Elk River Concrete while spending one winter working in Minneapolis for Westinghouse. In January 1958, he entered the U.S. Army spending the greater part of his tour at a Nike Missile Base near Philadelphia, PA. On June 27, 1959, Bud was united in marriage to Jean Fortier. In the coming years, Bud and Jean would be blessed by the births of two sons, Robert and Richard. Following Bud’s honorable discharge from the Army in January 1961, he returned home and resumed employment with Elk River Concrete. In 1962, Bud transferred to the Company’s plant in Great Falls, MT where he and his family made their home until moving to nearby Opportunity, MT in 1974. They returned to Great Falls in 1983 and in 1985, Bud and Jean relocated to Duluth so he could work at Elk River’s facility there. In 1989, they returned to Crookston and Bud finished out his long and successful 45-year career. He retired in 1999.
Bud was a longtime member of the Crookston Collectors Club and Eagles Aerie #873. Bud loved watching sports of all kinds, catching the Twins, Vikings, Wild and Lynx or cheering on the Gophers. He really enjoyed attending UND basketball games in Grand Forks and was a fixture in the stands for all the Crookston Pirate fall, winter and spring athletic events.
Bud is lovingly survived by Jean, his wife and best friend for nearly 61 years; their son, Richard of Havre, MT; 2 grandsons, Aidan Svedahl, living in Washington and Bridger Svedahl of Havre; sister, Lilah Wang of Fertile, MN; brother, Clifford Svedahl of Cloquet, MN; niece, Rose Larsen of Fountain Hills, AZ; brother-in-law, Theodore Fortier of Underwood, MN; and several other nieces, nephews, relatives, and a host of friends. Bud was preceded in death by son, Robert “Rob” who passed away on January 27, 2003; his parents, Leonard and Regina; brother, David Svedahl; sister, Doris Hunt; parents-in-law, Henry and Delia Fortier; and sisters-in-law, Kay Svedahl and Maryln Larsen.
A public visitation will be held at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Thursday, June 11, 2020, from 12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. A public graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston with Deacon Dennis Bivens officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the MN National Guard Honors Team from Moorhead.
