T. A. "Ted" Solheim, 94, Minot and former longtime President of American Bank and Trust, died Saturday, April 11, 2009 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Ted was born February 14, 1915 on the family farm near Orrin, North Dakota, the son of Andrew and Anna (Nessa) Solheim. During his younger years, he assisted with the operation of the family farm and attended schools in Drake. He worked as a ranch hand to broaden his education and in 1934 enrolled at the Bottineau School of Forestry.

Ted began work as a bookkeeper at a bank in Rugby for two years. He then moved to Fessenden, where he worked at a bank and met his future wife, Anna Foss. They were married in 1939. That same year, they moved to Minot, where he accepted a position with American Bank and Trust Company as a cashier. Ted entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army in 1943 and served during World War II. He received his honorable discharge in 1946 and returned to North Dakota.

In 1948, at the age of 33, he became the executive vice-president of the bank. He was named the president of the bank in 1951, and maintained that position until his retirement in 1980. They spent many of their winter months in Sun City, Arizona.

Ted was active in the community throughout the years, serving as president of Zion Lutheran Church, the Minot Kiwanis Club, YMCA, North Dakota Banker's Association and Minot Industrial Development Corporation. He was once the Exalted Ruler of the Minot Elks Lodge and treasurer for the Salvation Army for more than 30 years. He was an avid golfer and member of the Minot Country Club and had served on the board of directors for Trinity Medical Center and Minot Commission on Aging. He also served on the North Dakota Community Foundation, acting as chairman from 1976-1981. In 1976, he established the T. A. Solheim Fund with the Foundation, that continues today as an unrestricted grant program through ongoing contributions.

Ted is survived by his wife of seventy years, Anna Solheim, Minot; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bjorn Oliver, Arthur, Edwin and a sister, Agnes Theresa Solheim.

Funeral service : Friday, April 17, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot;
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Building Fund, YMCA Building Fund or an organization of the donor's choice.