Arvid Morken

Arvid Sidney Morken, 79, of Mandan, ND, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 2^nd, 2024 at CHI St Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.

Funeral Service will take place on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Capital Christian Church in Bismarck. Burial is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Arvid was the second son born to Alvin and Beatrice(McPherson) Morken. He was born on August 16, 1944 in Moorhead, MN, He spent his childhood in Perley, MN and graduated from Hendrum High School in 1962. After high school, Arvid attended the Cliff Mann School of Floral Design in Denver, CO. He continued his education at Moorhead State University where he graduated with a double major in Marketing and Management as well as Business Administration. Arvid also served his country with the National Guard.

After design school, Arvid worked as a florist at Highway Greenhouse in Fergus Falls where he met the love of his life, Nancy, when she visited for career day.  They started dating and never looked back.  Arvid and Nancy were married on October 3^rd, 1965, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. In 1972, they were blessed with their first adoption of Tonya, with Troy, Scott, Kailee, Dustin, and Joel’s adoptions to follow to complete their family.

Arvid spent the early part of his career in the banking industry with Gate City Savings and Loan as Branch Manager and First Federal Savings and Loan as VP of Marketing. In 1988 he left the banking industry, took a leap of faith, and bought a flower shop.  Hirsch Florist nurtured his passion for creating beautiful works of art with flowers. He used his creativity and marketing background to grow Hirsch Florist into one of the most respected and recognizable flower shops in the Bismarck and Mandan area. He was often invited to be the special guest designer at florist conventions and workshops. In 1998, Arvid was named the Bismarck/Mandan Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the year. 

Arvid was a dedicated servant of Jesus Christ. He was an involved member of Evangel, Capital Christian Center, and New Hope churches. He held a weekly bible study at the North Dakota State Penitentiary for over 40 years. He used his time at the penitentiary to work with men as they made their transition back to society. Arvid was very passionate in his mission work in Romania.  Since 1998, he made over 25 successful mission trips where he supported and spread the word of Christ working with Project Romanian Rescue.  His most recent mission trip being June 2023. 

Arvid was an active member of the community where he served on the boards of KNDR Radio as well as Charles Hall Youth Services. He was also involved with Kiwanis and Toastmasters.  In his spare time, you could find him listening to his beloved southern gospel music, golfing, and camping.  He never passed up an opportunity to utilize his creative skills to decorate whether it be for the holidays, the church or even the Parade of Homes. You could also find him selling his unique arrangements at the Pride of North Dakota for the last few years.

Arvid was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Beatrice Morken, his in-laws, Carl and Helen Prischmann and brothers-in-law, Carl, Thomas, and Daniel Prischmann.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy, his 6 children: Tonya(Gary) Keller of Mandan, ND, Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Troy(Gloria) Morken of El Paso, TX, Scott(Stephanie) Morken of Savage, MN, Kailee Murphy of Mandan, ND,  Dustin(Amanda) Morken of Mandan, ND and Joel(Kristina) Morken of San Francisco, CA; his grandchildren: Emily, Owen, Mikaela, Ryann, Avery, Grace, Adam, Will, Leah, Mckenna, Spencer, Ian, Harrison and Peyton; his brother: Merlin(Linda) Morken of Forest Lake, MN; his sisters-in-law: Diane, Karen, and JoAnn Prischmann of Fergus Falls, MN as well as many nieces and nephews.