Joshua Sirjord, age 23, of Gary, MN, died Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Joshua Lyn Sirjord was born on January 11, 1988, the son of Dale and Terri (Moe) Sirjord in Crookston, MN. He grew up and attended kindergarten in Gary. As a young boy, Josh helped around the farm, learning from his dad. Following Josh's graduation from Norman County East High School with the class of 2006, he worked for a time at Jetway in Harwood, ND and at Western Products in Fargo. Josh attended Moorhead Tech, graduating in 2008 with a diploma in Auto Mechanics. He furthered his education one more year to study accounting before he would begin his farming career. After his father's death in 2008, Josh began working full time on the farm with his Uncle Matt.

As a teenager, Josh enjoyed working on demo cars and restoring a 1986 Camaro with his dad. He also enjoyed spending time at Lake Sarah with his family and friends tubing and jet-skiing. He took pride in using his mechanical ability to change oil and take care of his family members' vehicles. Josh loved to simply hang out with his friends, watch movies and go snowmobiling. Josh had a wonderfully playful attitude and freely gave hugs to those he loved and cared about. Josh's final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through tissue donation. His memory will be treasured forever.

Josh is survived by his mother, Terri Sirjord of Gary, MN; his sister, Natalie (Tony Smith) of Thief River Falls, MN; two nieces, Mya and Rhianna Smith of Thief River Falls, MN; his grandparents: Mervin and LouAnn Sirjord of Bejou, MN, and Johnny and Shirley Moe of Gary, MN; one great grandmother, Louise Moe of Twin Valley, MN; aunts and uncles: Mark Sirjord of Bejou, MN, Matthew (Denise Kraft) Sirjord of Gary, MN,Denise (Terry) Halland of Hawley, MN, Shawn (Kurt) Halvorson of Gary, MN, John Moe of Twin Valley, MN and Tammy (Ben) Ramstorf of Gary, MN; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his Dad, Dale Sirjord, in 2008; uncle, Gary Sirjord; and great grandparents: Lester and Luella Thompson, Morris and Josie Sirjord, Ida and Berdein Thompson, and Melvin Moe.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Norman County East Elementary Gymnasium in Gary. Visitation was held at the Gary Lutheran Church, in Gary, on December 2, 2011 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30pm. Visitation was also at the school one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday. Officiating was Pastors John and Kelly Ahola with Jenny Hanson serving as organist and Sarah Mickelson serving as vocalist. Pallbearers were Matthew Sirjord, John Moe, Nick Halvorson, Justin Sirjord, Chris Florez and Jared Haglund. Honorary bearers were all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Interment was in Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary, MN.