Lester was born August 22, 1889, at Cooperstown to Olai and Martha Fogderud. His mother died when he was a baby so he was raised by his grandfather, Simon Ouren and wife. There is a sister, Senora, who still lives at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and there were half-sisters, Jennie, Carrie, Lila, and a brother, Lynn. All are deceased except Lila Torson, who lives at Chokio, Minnesota.
Borghild (Anderson) Fogderud was born at Egersund, Norway, on April 10, 1897. She came from a family of three girls and five boys. All are deceased except a sister, Acta, who still lives at Egersund. She came to America when she was 15 years old and resided with relatives, Tom and Bertha Vegisaa.
Lester and Borghild were married in a double ceremony with her brother, Torkel and Agnes Anderson, October 11, 1917. They lived on a farm 3 1/2 miles northwest of Hannaford, selling out in 1936. They moved to Hannaford for a few years and then moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1939, where he worked as a carpenter until he and his son were in the partnership of Fogderud Construction Company of Moorhead. They built many homes in the Fargo-Moorhead area, including a house advertised in Better Homes and Gardens.
Lester and Borghild had two children: Gordon and wife, Joyce live at Scappoose, Oregon. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Marlyn and husband, Reynard Lyngley of Fargo, North Dakota, and Mesa, Arizona (during the winter months). They have three sons and two daughters.
Borghild died August 31, 1969. Lester married Ruth Rohrer in 1970. Lester passed away March 2, 1983, at Fargo. Both Lester and Borghild are buried at Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, Minnesota.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 120