John Norman McDonald Jr.

John Norman McDonald Jr., better known as "Big John," was born January 8, 1920, at Ponce de Leon, Florida, to John Norman and Francis (Hadden) McDonald. He was the oldest of four boys, followed by Wilford (Shorty), Robert, Stewart, and sister, Mary McDonald.

Big John attended college and played football for Georgia Military College and Arkansas Teachers College. After his college days, he enjoyed being a motorcycle cop. He served our country in the Army in WWII in the African/European Theater. Before his tour of duty in the service, he traveled to Seattle, WA where he met Inga Austfjord, an Icelander from North Dakota. They were married on August 13, 1946 following his discharge from the Army.

After moving north, Big John learned farming; something he did very well at. He farmed in Pembina County around Hamilton, Bathgate, and Walhalla. John enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. He also enjoyed fox hunting with his dad and mom when they came to visit.

Together John and Inga managed the McDonald Bar in Walhalla, which she bought in 1943. In 1956, they bought The Owl Bar on South 3rd St., and in 1963 they built The Highlander Bar on South Washington Street. With his southern hospitality and gentlemanly ways, he kept the customers coming back. His wife lovingly supported him always. Together they had two children, John Rock and Heather.

Big John was a member of Kem Temple of the Shrine, Grand Forks, and was the 68th Potentate in 1980. He belonged to the Tongue River Masonic Lodge #22, Scottish Rite Bodies, and 49ers Shrine Club in Langdon, ND. In Walhalla he was a member of the VFW and the Bartlette-Resler American Legion Post #62.

Survivors include his wife, Inga; children: John Rock (Lynn) McDonald and Heather (Kevin) Knutson, all of Walhalla; grandchildren: Megan, Samantha, and Madyson McDonald, Kristina (Mark) Halverson, Sarah and Sophia Herman; great grandchild Chaz Halverson; and sister, Mary McDonald, Anchorage, AK; cousin, Charles McDonald, Ely, MN.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brothers.

John Norman McDonald Jr., 93, of Walhalla, ND, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Walhalla Lutheran Church, Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held Monday, May 20th from 5-7 p.m. with a 7p.m. prayer service and Masonic service. Burial in the Vidalin Cemetey, Hensel, ND.

Clergy: Rev. Don Swenson; Music: Evan Montgomery, Soloist and Bernadine Kopf, Organist; Casket Bearers: Allen Austfjord, Mike Austfjord, John Norman McDonald, John Sproule, Paul Sproule, Al Wimpfheimer; Military Rites by North Dakota Funeral Honor Guard and Bartlette-Resler Post #62, Walhalla American Legion.