Alton Severson, 92, Minot, died Thursday, November 1, 2017, in a Minot hospital.

Alton was born February 1, 1925, in Minot, North Dakota to Henry and Alma (Thompson) Severson. Afton Township of Ward County was the setting for his upbringing and his elementary education. He completed his education at Minot High School in 1942. As a young adult he divided his time between hauling coal and working on area farms.

Alton was united in marriage to Irene Makeeff on October 22, 1950, in Mercer, ND. They spent the next 40 years on the family farm in Afton Township, located south of Minot, where they grew small grains and raised cattle and poultry. He was a school bus driver for South Prairie School for nearly 10 years. Following their retirement in 1989, they moved to Lake Metigoshe and enjoyed the beauty of the lake before returning to Minot in 1994. They moved to Edgewood Vista in February 2010. Irene went to her heavenly home January 20, 2015.

Alton was a former member of Saron Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school and worked on many remodeling projects. In later years he was a regular attendee of Our Redeemer's Church in Minot. He was active in the Farm Bureau and served on the Afton Township Board for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the Republican Party, a dedicated 4-H leader and former member of the board of directors for the Minot Farmer's Elevator Co-op.

Alton spent time square dancing with Irene in his younger years. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his family. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was also an accomplished carpenter, electrician, plumber and mechanic. Alton was an avid reader who kept up on the latest world and local news and politics. He was always ready for great conversation and opportunities to share his opinions and memories. He was known for his sharp wit and sarcastic humor. As a young adult he perpetrated elaborate pranks on friends and neighbors.

Alton is survived by his children: Linda (Mark) Johnson and Mark (Laurie) Severson of Minot and Marlene Severson (David Cooley) of McLean, VA; grandchildren: Adam Johnson of Bismarck, Nathan (Bethany) Johnson of Fargo, Aaron Severson of Bismarck, Andrea Severson (Chris) Koppang of Bismarck, Laura Cooley of Charlottesville, VA, and Matthew Cooley of Klamath Falls, OR; great grandchildren: Aiden and Grace Johnson, Lily, Jax and Lia Koppang; sister Joy Nygaard of Hastings, MN; multiple nieces; nephews; cousins; brothers in law and sisters in law; and special friend Cleone Bearman of Minot.

Alton was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, great granddaughter Sophia Koppang, sisters: Marian Hostager and Dorothy Soum, and brother Howard Severson.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at Our Redeemer's Church, Minot.
Interment: Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Minot, ND
Visitation: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
FAMILY SERVICE : Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Memorials are preferred to the Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery Tree Planting Fund or to the American Diabetes Association.