Nathan Shan Vrem

June 15, 1942-March 27, 2025

Rolla

Nathan Shan Vrem was born June 15, 1942 in Rolla, North Dakota to Isadore “Boots” and Edna (Gilje) Vrem. He passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was the youngest of three boys. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Thorne and attended elementary at the Russell township one-room country school and graduated from Rolette High School in 1960. He attended one year of college at NDSU before returning home to take over the farm.

Shan was united in marriage to Norma Thingvold on October 3, 1964 at Valle Lutheran Church in Rolette. Together they raised four children; Sonja, Jo Lynn, Cherie, and Darin. They farmed for 24 years raising small grains, sunflowers, cattle, and pigs. Shan worked for Cenex Propane for many winters and went south for several seasons of custom harvesting. He attended Valle Lutheran Church in Rolette where all his children were baptized and confirmed.

In 1988, Shan and Norma divorced, and he moved to Portland Oregon, where he worked as a farmer and hydraulic parts salesman. He was united in marriage to Shirley Richards in 1999. That union later ended in divorce.

Shan retired in 2012 and moved back to Rolette and worked briefly for Harlow’s Bus Service driving school bus. In his retirement, he enjoyed playing cards, having coffee uptown with his friends (twice a day!), and lunch at Linda’s café. He spent many hours driving the countryside checking crops, helping his son-in-law and grandkids as a parts “go-fer” and chauffer to and from the field. He loved cheering on the Rolette Comets and North Prairie Cougars as well as the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Shan spent his final years at the Haaland Estates in Rugby and the Rolette Community Care Center. The family would like to thank the staff at both facilities for the wonderful care they gave to Shan.

Shan was known for his friendliness, often starting up long conversations with complete strangers. He was a sweet, loving, caring man with a quick wit who never complained. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Shan is survived by his children, Sonja Pigeon (Doug Hoffman) of Minot, Jo Jeffries of Dunseith, Cherie (Troy) Gottbreht of Rolette, and Darin Vrem (Rachelle Littau) of Boise, Idaho; eight Grandchildren, Andria (Steve) Miller, Nicole Pigeon, Jessica (Kevin) Rost, Christopher Pigeon (Nikki Hanretty), Samantha (Jeff) Braunberger, Taylor (Raynee) Gottbreht, Tara (Scott) Monson, Trevor (Allison) Gottbreht; 12 great grandchildren, Trenton McCloud, Keelie McCloud, Brecken Miller, Daunte Nadeau, Mikayla Tyson, Lindy H., Dennis Monson, Lincoln Monson, Halle Monson, Parker Gottbreht, Peyton Gottbreht, and Hayes Gottbreht; nephew Loren Vrem; other relatives and friends.

Shan was preceded in death by his parents, Boots and Edna Vrem; brothers, Marco and Peter; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Vrem and nephew, Jerry Vrem.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 4th at Valle Lutheran Church in Rolette with interment at the Westland Cemetery, north of Rolette later in the spring. Pastor Gene Wilson, officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the time of services at the church.

Organist: Diane Arstein

Casket Bearers: Taylor Gottbreht, Trevor Gottbreht, Christopher Pigeon, Daunte Nadeau, Trenton McCloud and Keelie McCloud

Honorary Bearers: Tara Monson, Jessica Rost, Andria Miller, Nicole Pigeon, Samantha Braunberger and great grandchildren

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, April 5, 2025.