Kristofer E. Gulsvig

Kristofer Edwin Gulsvig, 65, of Moorhead, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 4, 2021.  Kris was born on July 4,1955, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, to Edwin (“Sonny”) and Marcella (nee Summers) Gulsvig. The family moved to Moorhead when Kris was six weeks old when his father became a coach at Concordia College. Kris was a well-known “gym rat” at the Concordia Field House, shooting baskets with whoever was there. He participated in a variety of sports in elementary school and then concentrated on basketball and baseball. A lifelong proud Spud, Kris was a key player for the basketball and baseball teams. He also played two years of American Legion Baseball.

After graduating from high school in 1973, Kris’ athletic success continued at Concordia College, where he played basketball and baseball. Coached by his father, Sonny, Kris also served as captain for basketball. His athletic honors at Concordia included All-MIAC and NAIA in both basketball and baseball. Kris still holds the all-time career free-throw accuracy record and season-assist record in basketball. His .411 batting average led the Cobber baseball team in 1977. In honor these accomplishments, Kris was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. After graduating from Concordia in 1977, Kris taught and was head basketball coach in Kasson-Mantorville, MN.

Kris married Patty Nelson on August 20, 1978, in the church where Patty’s father served as pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. After two years in Kasson, the couple moved to Benson, MN  where Kris taught elementary physical education and coached basketball and baseball.

Kris made a career change to Certified Financial Planner in 1984. The family settled in Moorhead to raise their two children, Becky and Peter. The family spent many summer weekends at their lake place on Long Lost Lake near Bagley, Minnesota. When Becky and Peter’s interests pivoted to summer theater at Trollwood, both Kris and Patty were very involved with the Main Stage productions at the north Fargo location. Kris was instrumental in acquiring funding for the Bluestem Center for the Arts in South Moorhead as well as funding for Moorhead High Theatre sound system and the 2003 trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

July 4th gatherings with the Gulsvig family were an annual tradition, not only celebrating the holiday but also Kris’ and twin Kathy’s and Chuck’s birthdays (with a September birthday, Penny sadly missed out on the great presents!).

Kris was very proud of his children and their accomplishments, and was always eager to share updates on them with others. He and Patty travelled to many of Becky’s performances. Kris went with Peter to Comi-Con and the Sundance Film Festival.

Most recently, Kris spent the last 10 years teaching his beloved granddaughter, Hazel, how to fish. The weekend before he passed away, he was so happy to head over to the Cobber field and throw a softball around with Hazel, who loves the game.

Kris loved driving a big pickup truck (that he negotiated a great deal on!), hunting, fishing, golfing, and attending sporting events. He also loved going to a movie and telling anyone who would  listen how great it was (even if it wasn’t!). He told great jokes, and made everyone in his midst feel welcome.

Kristofer was preceded in death by his father, Sonny.  He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Patty, daughter Becky Fisher (Tyler) of Maplewood, NJ, son Peter of Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter Hazel, mother Marcella, sister Penny (Bucky) Burgau, twin sister Kathy (Mel) Masseth, brother Chuck (Dar) Gulsvig, and many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 10 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation starting one hour before, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. A luncheon will follow at Wright Funeral Home. A livestream of the service will be available on Kris’ page at www.wrightfuneral.com, where a video tribute and online guestbook can also be found.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Bucky Burgau Field Renovation (https://concordiacollege.givingfuel.com/500-for-500  or Concordia College Advancement, 901 S. 8th Street. Kris Gulsvig memorial fund.)