Tracy G. Naas, 91, of Kloten, ND, passed away on Saturday, July 4th , 2020, at the North Dakota Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, ND.  Tracy was born May 2, 1929 in McVille, ND, to Tom and Agnes (Drengson) Naas.  Tracy was the youngest of their six children.  He attended Kloten School through the 9th grade and then farmed with his dad. Tracy also studied for and became a licensed electrician to stay busy in the winter months.  He continued both farming and his electrical business, “Naas Electric”, until retirement. After that he continued to help on the farm.  He met his future wife, Rosalie Bunde, while roller skating at Stump Lake.  Their courtship was put on hold for two years when he was called to serve in the US Army during the Korean War from March 18, 1952 to February 19, 1954. 

Tracy and Rosalie were united in marriage on June 12, 1955 at McVille Lutheran Church.  They made their home on the family farm, and they were blessed with four children.  Tracy was a lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Kloten. His grandparents helped build and establish this church when they came from Norway to North Dakota.  Tracy taught Sunday School and was very active in other rolls.

He had a love of music from an early age.  His parents bought him an accordion when young, which he taught himself to play. He went on to sing, play piano and organ as a favorite pastime.  As a young man, Tracy and his Kloten friends would gather at friend’s and family’s homes to sing and play for hours.

Tracy enjoyed his dual careers of farming and wiring but also had a lot of fun camping, fishing, skiing, golfing and traveling.  Tracy enjoyed tinkering in his shop and inventing handy gadgets for the farm and for camping. He worked hard and played hard, and loved to plan his next adventure. Tracy and Rosalie were able to travel to Norway three times where they visited ancestral homes and relatives.  They spent many winters at the Pine to Palm Retirement Park at Weslaco, Texas and made many new friends there.  They introduced many friends and relatives from back home to the Park in Texas and enjoyed entertaining guests.

Tracy was very social and had fun playing games, grilling and telling stories around a bonfire or anywhere with family and friends.  Tracy was very proud of his military service and experiences. He often reminded his family, that to live in America where we have our freedom is a great gift. It was very fitting that Tracy passed away on the 4th of July, our Independence Day.

Tracy was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Agnes Naas, his siblings, Irene Naas, Lester (Harriet) Naas, Irving (Alaine) Naas, Ieleen Naas, and Avis (Willard) VanWechel.  Also, a nephew, Marvin Naas and a niece, Vickie (Van Wechel) Cleveland.

Tracy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosalie, McVille, children – Dean, Colorado; Duane (Chris) Naas, Thompson, ND; Norean (Gary) Hoots, Moorhead, MN, and Terry (Karen) Naas, Grand Forks, ND.  Grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Naas, Tom (Whitney) Naas, Andy (Hannah) Naas.  Kayla (Christopher) Evenson, Brian (Angela) Hoots, Kevin Hoots, Michael (Taylor) Hoots.  Nikki Naas and John Naas.  And nine great-grandchildren.  Also survived by his brother-in-law Willard Van Wechel of Mayville, ND, and several nieces and nephews.

A private family service and burial will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kloten, ND.