Allan T. Isakson

Allan T. "Ike" Isakson, 80, 1118 1st Street North, Fargo, ND, died on Thursday, November 4, 2004, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.Allan, known as Ike, was born on January 20, 1924, in Aurelia, IA, to Axel and Sarah Bakken Isakson. He graduated from high school at Willmar, MN, and then entered the U.S. Army Air Force. He served during WWII in the 369th Bomb Group, stationed in North Africa. Following his military service he returned to Willmar before moving to Park River, ND, where he began his career in the telephone industry. In 1952, he moved to Devils Lake, ND, and went to work for Northwestern Bell. Allan married Georgine Vallier on September 6, 1953, in Williston, ND. They lived in Devils Lake, Grafton and Grand Forks, ND, and East Grand Forks, MN, before moving to Fargo, ND, in 1965. Allan was involved in the Telephone Pioneers and had served as chapter president. He served as an usher at First Lutheran Church for over twenty years. He retired from Northwestern Bell in 1982, after thirty-six years in the telephone industry.In retirement, Allan served as president of the Telephone Pioneers Life Members. Also during his retirement he worked for Midwest Medical, servicing blood pressure machines in the tri-state area, and worked for McGraw-Hill publishing, collecting housing permits. Allan was mechanically inclined and could fix anything. He loved to fish. He and Georgine enjoyed over twenty wonderful years at Leaf Lake, where they kept a very large garden. They both bowled many years at Red River Lanes in Fargo.Allan is survived by his wife, Georgine, Fargo, ND; three daughters, Nancy Isakson, Minneapolis, MN, Valerie Andreas Pirillis, Paralimni, Cyprus, and Rebecca Rique Schill, Fargo, ND; four grandchildren, Isaak, Allan and Xenia Pirillis and Carly Schill. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Edwin, Norman, and Marlow, and a sister that died at birth. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law Mary Louis Isakson, Walker, MN, Norma Isakson, Fountain City, WI, and Joyce Isakson, Dassel, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.