John Allen Sveen

John Allen Sveen passed away at the age of 95 on May 24, 2026 at home in Bozeman, Montana.

John was born on October 15, 1930, to Thorald J and Inga Marie Sveen in Bottineau, North Dakota. His mother passed away when he was 11 years old and he went to live with relatives on a farm near Roth, North Dakota. John attended and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1948. In high school he competed in the North Dakota state track meet, finishing 3rd in the high jump. While in high school, John enlisted in the National Guard as part of the 231st Engineer Combat Battalion. He was activated and sent to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was certified as part of the Signal Corps in 1951 during the Korean War. John attended the Bottineau School of Forestry where he graduated in 1950. He continued his education and graduated with a degree in geography from the University of Nebraska in 1953. He was a proud Husker!

John married his high school sweetheart Doris Maye Biberdorf in 1952, and they shared over 50 years together. They moved from Nebraska to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1964 where John operated his own fuel oil and gasoline business. While in Aberdeen, they also opened its first cross-country skiing and bicycle shop, known as Bikeways. He also earned his pilot’s license. John and Doris enjoyed camping and traveling in the United States and Canada with their kids.

John and Doris moved to the mountains outside of Bozeman in 1979 and opened their first Super 8 Motel. Their love of biking, hiking and cross-country skiing continued throughout their lives. When Doris passed away in 2003, John moved into town where he spent the next 20 years of his life surrounded by family and many good friends. He was fixture at the card table with friends and family; whether it was bridge, pinochle, or cribbage. He loved showing people the backroads of Montana and was an excellent guide for anyone who wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park. He knew Yellowstone like the back of his hand! Even into his 90’s he was going on road trips to show off the country. His favorite drive was through the Gravelly Range.

John and Doris raised 4 children. All of them enjoyed special relationships with their parents. John is survived by Jeff Sveen (Marcia) Aberdeen, South Dakota, and their sons, Andrew, Peter, and Sam, Kristine Bates (Peter) Sylva, North Carolina, and their daughters, Jenna and Greta, John Sveen (Kelly) Bozeman, Montana, and their children, Peder and Elsa, and Kathy Sveen (Mark Johnson) Bozeman, Montana, and ten Great Grandchildren. John was blessed with many special friends, who he shared good times with. He was always kind, fun, active, and full of life.

A celebration of life will be held in Bozeman, MT, at 3pm, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Story Mansion. Friends are invited to attend and celebrate John's life. The family will be gathering at a later date to honor his memory.