Arthur "Gordy" Sather

Arthur Gordon “Gordy” Sather, 93, of Starkweather, ND, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Valley Senior Living on 42nd in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by his loving family.

Gordy was born June 10, 1932, at the Sather family farm in rural Starkweather to Severin and Sophie (Anderson) Sather. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather. He graduated from Starkweather High School in 1950. After graduation, he farmed with his father. He spent one winter in Portland, OR with his parents and two of his sisters, Ines and Velma. He later spent a winter in Seattle, WA working for Boeing Aircraft.

On June 20, 1957, Gordy was united in marriage to Margaret Skaar in Hampden, ND. They spent their first winter together in Anaheim, CA where Gordy was employed as a gardener for the school district. They returned to North Dakota in the spring and made their home on the Sather family farm where Gordy farmed and drove school bus. They built a new house on the farm in 1967 and raised their four children there. After he no longer farmed himself, Gordy helped his brother-in-law, Howard Skaar (and later his nephew, Jason Skaar) on the Skaar family farm in Hampden.

In 1979, Margaret and Gordy opened the Spring Crest Drapery store in a downtown mini mall in Devils Lake. For many years they traveled far and wide installing window treatments. After a fire in the mini mall, they moved the store to the lower level of their home and ran the business from there. In the summer of 2017, they sold the farmstead and moved to an apartment in Grand Forks, ND.

Gordy and Margaret loved sports and religiously followed the sporting events and other activities in which their kids and grandkids were involved. Even after their kids graduated, they continued following Starkweather’s basketball teams and attended as many games as possible, no matter how bad the weather. Gordy was a terrific carpenter and loved woodworking. He could build almost anything, including a beautiful grandfather clock. He also loved watching the Minnesota Twins on TV, going to UND basketball and football games, putting puzzles together, playing cards and board games, and visiting his kids and grandkids.

Gordy’s heart was - and always will be - on his farm, and his ashes will be spread there at a later date. He was the kindest man and best father any child could have. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. May his memory be blessed.

Gordy is survived by his children: Mark (Laurie) Sather of Fargo, ND; Mary Ann Devig of Grand Forks, ND; Janelle (Randy) McMillin of Grygla, MN; and Ruth (Scott) Camp of Iron Mountain, MI; 10 grandchildren: Vienna Devig, Megan (Garret) Hillius, Ashley (Connor) Holland, Jared (Ashley) Schaefer, Brenna (Isaac) Olson, Hailea (Trevor) Page, Hunter (Karlee) McMillin, Hudson (Kyla) McMillin, Ryan (Alicia) Camp, and Amanda (fiancé Devyn) Camp; 11 great-grandchildren (with 2 on the way); and many nieces and nephews.

Gordy was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret; his parents; and his 7 sisters and 6 brothers-in-law: Anna (Jim) Quick, Lillian (Myron) Erickstad, Ellen (Joe) Wilhelmi, Ines (Oscar) Tyler, Velma (Ed) DeFrates, Gladys (Bill) Provance, and infant sister Elsie. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Howard Skaar, sister-in-law, Norma Skaar, and son-in-law, Dr. Patrick Devig.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Valley Senior Living on 42nd on the Oakcrest and Wheatland Terrace neighborhoods for the excellent care given to Gordy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 24, 2025, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND, with Pastor Bud Johnson officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed on the Calvary Lutheran Church website.