Was born on June 19, 1925, to Peter and Anna Aalgaard in Hannaford, N.D. He passed away peacefully at his home in Citrus Heights, Calif., on April 5, 2010, with his family by his side. He was raised in North Dakota during the Great Depression and at age 16 joined the CCC and worked in Montana. At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S Navy and was stationed on the destroyer U.S.S. DeHaven (DD-469). He survived the sinking of the destroyer on Feb. 1, 1943. His second ship, the U.S.S. Hazelwood (DD-531) was hit by Japanese kamikaze planes. He later wrote a novel about these experiences. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to North Dakota where he met his wife Vera. They were married in 1945. Selmer attended the State School of Science at Whapeton, ND, and then the University of North Dakota at Grandforks, ND. He obtained a B.E. degree in Education. He taught and coached basketball, baseball and football in North Dakota and Montana. He moved to California in 1956 and taught a number of years at San Juan High school in Citrus Heights and later became an administrator at Casa Roble High School. He loved coaching and became an tireless advocate for disadvantaged students. He retired in 1980. Selmer was a avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, snow-skiing and camping with his family.
Selmer was preceded in death by his sisters Rose, Margaret, and Rachel, and by his brothers Leif, Algot, Leonard, and Robert. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Vera, and daughter Vanda and son-in-law Alan Claunch of Merced, Calif., and by his sister Stella of Eugene, Ore., and brother Albert of Eureka, Calif., and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the V.A. Hospital and the Sutter Hospice team for their guidance and support during Selmer's final days. There will be no services and interment will be in Hannaford, N.D. In lieu of flowers or donations, please contribute to VFW, American Cancer Society , or American Heart Association .
Published in The Sacramento Bee on April 11, 2010
Was born on June 19, 1925, to Peter and Anna Aalgaard in Hannaford, N.D. He passed away peacefully at his home in Citrus Heights, Calif., on April 5, 2010, with his family by his side. He was raised in North Dakota during the Great Depression and at age 16 joined the CCC and worked in Montana. At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S Navy and was stationed on the destroyer U.S.S. DeHaven (DD-469). He survived the sinking of the destroyer on Feb. 1, 1943. His second ship, the U.S.S. Hazelwood (DD-531) was hit by Japanese kamikaze planes. He later wrote a novel about these experiences. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to North Dakota where he met his wife Vera. They were married in 1945. Selmer attended the State School of Science at Whapeton, ND, and then the University of North Dakota at Grandforks, ND. He obtained a B.E. degree in Education. He taught and coached basketball, baseball and football in North Dakota and Montana. He moved to California in 1956 and taught a number of years at San Juan High school in Citrus Heights and later became an administrator at Casa Roble High School. He loved coaching and became an tireless advocate for disadvantaged students. He retired in 1980. Selmer was a avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, snow-skiing and camping with his family.
Selmer was preceded in death by his sisters Rose, Margaret, and Rachel, and by his brothers Leif, Algot, Leonard, and Robert. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Vera, and daughter Vanda and son-in-law Alan Claunch of Merced, Calif., and by his sister Stella of Eugene, Ore., and brother Albert of Eureka, Calif., and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the V.A. Hospital and the Sutter Hospice team for their guidance and support during Selmer's final days. There will be no services and interment will be in Hannaford, N.D. In lieu of flowers or donations, please contribute to VFW, American Cancer Society , or American Heart Association .
Published in The Sacramento Bee on April 11, 2010
Family Members
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Rose Gunhilda Aalgaard Brudvig
1910–1977
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Leif Erling Aalgaard
1912–2007
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Algot Peter Aalgaard
1913–2003
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Margaret Ann Aalgaard Porter
1916–1996
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Leonard William Aalgaard
1918–2008
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Rachel Lucille Aalgaard Pratt
1921–2000
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Stella Alida Aalgaard Larson
1923–2010
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Robert Garmen Aalgaard
1928–2008
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Albert Palmer Aalgaard
1933–2013
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