John "Johnny" Gisi

Johnny Gisi

John "Johnny" Gisi, age 83, of New Rockford, ND, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, North Dakota.

Johnny was born July 14, 1927, at home in New Rockford township to John and Fannie (Glaser) Gisi. He attended grade school in New Rockford township and Tiffany township, and lived with his parents northeast of New Rockford until they moved to a farm in Tiffany township east of New Rockford.

Johnny was united in marriage to Viola Gjestvang on April 2, 1951, at New Rockford, and farmed the family farm until their retirement in 1988, when they moved to New Rockford. He then continued to help his son John on the farm as long as he could.

Johnny moved into Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd on July 1, 2010. He was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church his entire life.

As a young man Johnny worked as a sheep shearer and was a fiddle player in several bands. He enjoyed hunting with his sons, grandson, and friends until the age of 82, and enjoyed ice fishing, listening to music, playing the fiddle, being with his family, and working on the farm.

Survivors include his wife Viola, 7 children: Sandi Nilson, Tempe, AZ; Judy (Tom) Smith, Eaton, CO; Julie (Orley) Sinkler, Queen Creek, AZ; John B. (Janine) Gisi, New Rockford; Philip (Patricia) Gisi, Grand Forks, ND; David Gisi, Sparks, NV; and Rita (Robert) Lewton, Bowman, ND; 15 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law Gladys Carlson, Luanne Johnson, Glenna Gjestvang, all of New Rockford, and Lillian Gisi, Rochert, MN; 2 brother-in-laws Arnold (Audrey) Gjestvang, Washburn, ND; Marlin (Linda) Gjestvang, Westminster, CO; and many nieces and nephews.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Rita O'Conner; two brothers, George and William; in-laws Ivar and Helen Gjestvang; sisters-in-law Sunneva Gisi and Alice Erman; brothers-in-law Delvaine Gjestvang, Clifford Erman, Freddy Carlson and Curtis Johnson; a niece, Samantha Erman; and nephews Ronnie Gjestvang and Axel Peterson.

Visitation: Saturday, 9AM until 5PM, and Sunday, 9AM to 6PM, in Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.

Prayer Service: Sunday at 7:30 PM, in St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, ND

Funeral Service: St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, Monday, November 22, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Interment: St. John's Catholic Cemetery, New Rockford, ND

On-line condolences may be sent at www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com

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