Theophil Paul (Ted) Blickensderfer died in the early morning hours of Jan. 16, 2018, at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Assembly of God (the former UCC) Church in Mott with Pastor John Amundson officiating. Burial will follow at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott with full military honors being afforded by the Taylor-Skartvedt American Legion Post #71.


Family and friends are welcome at an informal gathering at Stan and Heather's house, 401 E 2nd St. in Mott on Friday evening from 7-9pm. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until the time of the service on Saturday morning at the church.

Ted was born on Sept. 13, 1931, in Willa, ND, to William and Eliza (Hardle) Blickensderfer. He grew up on the family farm north of Mott and attended country school before graduating from Mott Lincoln High School in 1950. He was active in choir and band in high school, and was proud of singing and playing the saxophone in the first "Follies" (later known as the Café Concert) production.

Ted spent a year as a student at North Dakota State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training, he was stationed first at Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, NY, where he served as a cook and valet. In 1952, he was transferred to Baumholder, Germany, where he was a Corporal in the Second Armored ("Hell on Wheels") Division. Ted used his fluent German to work as a translator in the Army court system there.

Ted met his wife-to-be, Lore Mueller, while she was working at the cafeteria on the army base. They were united in a civil ceremony in Wiesbaden, and wedded in the Lutheran church in Idar-Oberstein on June 26, 1954.

Following his discharge, Ted and Lore returned to Mott, where he began working on the family farm with his brothers, Ernie and Walter. In the winter months, he lived in Fargo so he could continue attending college. He graduated summa cum laude from NDSU in 1962 with a degree in mechanized farming.

Ted and Lore settled in Mott for good to farm and raise their children, Linda, Steven, and Stan. Ted was active in the First Congregational Church of Mott and Farmers Union. He enjoyed bowling in the doubles league and dancing to The Pearly Shells with Lore. Until recently, he was a dedicated fan of the Mott/Regent Wildfire, attending every music concert and every elementary, junior high, and high school sports event he could.

Ted is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lore; his children: Linda Boyd of Fargo, Steven and Rhonda Blickensderfer of Fargo, and Stan Blickensderfer and Heather Hertz of Mott; his grandchildren: Michael and Julie Blickensderfer of St. Paul; Elise Blickensderfer of Fargo; Harrison Boyd of Fargo; Noah Blickensderfer of St. Paul; Cade Blickensderfer of Mott; and Alex Blickensderfer of Fargo. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Grayson and Maverick Blickensderfer and Ellis Wagner; his brothers: Carl and Heather Blickensdorf, Fort Wayne, IN; Walter Blickensderfer, Mott; and sister-in-law, Margaret Blickensderfer, Rapid City, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Ernest.

Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.