FERDINAND ALBERT “Ferd” OHLSEN
May 15, 1917 – July 23, 2012 

Ferdinand Albert “Ferd” Ohlsen, age 95 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Mandan, ND and Kansas City, MO, passed into eternity on Monday morning, July 23, 2012 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN.
Ferd was born on May 15, 1917 in Independence, Missouri to Gunnar and Ruth (Oleson) Ohlsen. It was in this same area that he attended public schools, graduating from Northeast High
School in Kansas City, MO in 1935. Ferd went on to attend the Wichita Business College for two years. On October 28, 1939, he was united in marriage to Dorotha M. Gautier in Kansas City. This marriage was blessed with two sons: John and Richard and a daughter, Jan. The young couple made their home in Kansas City where Ferd worked for the Standard Oil Co. in a career that spanned 34 years. In 1954, the Ohlsens moved to Mandan, ND where Ferd was a foreman at the Mandan Refinery. At the age 56, Ferd retired from Standard Oil and embarked on a new career with Catalytic Construction Co. and American International Co., where he oversaw crews of 1500 men who were responsible for overhauling refineries across the globe. His work took him to Australia, Iran, the Bahamas, Northern Canada and across the United States. Ferd retired from this challenging work at the age of 68. The Ohlsens made their home in Mandan for many years. Ferd was active in his community. He served as the Mayor of Mandan from 1956- 1960. He served as a District Governor in the North Dakota Lions from 1990-1991 and he also was a Melvin Jones Fellow. Ferd logged over 20,000 miles visiting Lions Clubs throughout his district in his year long term. Ferd also served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Mandan, was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a life time member of the Elks Lodge. In 1988, the Ohlsens retired to Park Rapids, MN where Ferd continued being active with the Park Rapids Lions and attended the Riverside United Methodist Church. Ferd was a man of many interests. He enjoyed photography and operated his own photography studio for a time. He enjoyed making home made wines and was handy in refinishing and remodeling his homes over the years. Above all, Ferd devoted his life to his wife, Dorotha; his children and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
Ferd’s memory will be lovingly cherished by his wife for these past 71 years, Dorotha of Park Rapids; his daughter, Jan (Keith) Betscher of Cincinnati, Ohio; his two sons: John (Linda) Ohlsen of Mandan, ND and Richard (Linda) Ohlsen of Brainerd, MN; eight grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; l brother in infancy and l sister.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, July 27, 2012 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with Reverend Lee Kantonen officiating.   Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. A luncheon will be hosted following the service. Interment will be held at the Mandan Union Cemetery in Mandan, ND with Deana Reikow officiating.