John D. Landsem, age 75, of Adams, ND, passed away at his home on Friday, August 29, 2025.
John was born on Aug. 18, 1950, in Lawton, ND, to Nels and Thea (Staven) Landsem. He attended school in Lawton and Edmore, ND. He met the love of his life, Pamela Troftgruben, at a dance at Bechyne Hall on June 29, 1966. They were married on Aug. 24, 1968, at Mountain Lutheran Church in Adams, ND. Their marriage spanned 57 years, and they shared a total of fifty-nine wonderful years together.
John and Pam began their life together in Langdon, ND. During that time, John worked at the Cargill Elevator. In 1971, they moved to Adams, where John worked at the PAR site in Nekoma and later served as a night-shift guard at the missile sites in Fairdale and Cavalier. He also spent a year commuting daily to the Grand Forks Air Base while working for Peterson Construction In 1975, he started John Landsem Construction, a carpentry business he successfully owned and operated for 50 years.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Pam; daughters Michelle (Larry) Griffin of Devils Lake, ND, and Melissa (Jay) Kringstad of Grafton, ND; and grandsons Christopher Onstad (fiancée Megan), Colton Onstad (fiancée Beth), both of Grand Forks, ND, and Marcus (Celeste) Moody, along with great-grandchildren Lela and James of Powers Lake, ND. He is also survived by his brothers Norman (Juanita) Landsem of Woodbury, MN, and Gary Landsem of St. Cloud, MN; in-laws Gary & Mavis Troftgruben of Harvey, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law Irene Miller, Jean (Wally) Utzinger, Norma Landsem, Diana (Bill) Cardwell, Beverly (Ronald) Walsh, and Sharon (Donald) Gerth; brother Gordon (Shirley) Rod; and in-laws Mary Landsem, Sundry & Pearl Troftgruben, Gaylen & Sharon Troftgruben, Lori Troftgruben and Gerald Troftgruben.
John was the best husband, dad, father-in-law, and grandpa. He was always there for us. His passing has left our hearts broken, and we will love and miss him always.
An open house celebrating John’s life will be at the Park River Senior Center on Saturday, Sep. 6 from 2-5 p.m. Burial will be at the Odalen Lutheran Cemetery of Rural Edinburg.
An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfunearalhome.com
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.
