Ian Iverson

Ian Michael Lee Iverson, 18, of Hampden, N.D., tragically passed away Friday, July 31, 2026.

Services honoring Ian Michael Lee Iverson, 18, of Hampden, N.D., who tragically passed away July 31, 2026, were held Aug. 8, 2026, at Starkweather, N.D. Burial followed at Storlie Cemetery in Hampden.

Ian was born Jan. 15, 2008, to Jared and Keysha (Brown) Iverson at Trinity Hospital in Minot, N.D. He was a treasure from the start and deeply loved from the moment he entered the world. Ian was a very intelligent little boy who was always asking “why.” He was quick to learn anything and everything despite being a typically shy child. As he grew older, his shyness began to disappear, replaced by a sense of humor that knew no bounds and a genuine love and kindness for everyone he met.

Over the years, Ian developed a profound interest in music. He taught himself to play a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano, trumpet, banjo, harmonica, synthesizer, accordion and fiddle, among many others. Ian was always tapping out a melody on anything and everything. He also developed an interest in fixing up old cars and getting them running again, sometimes even putting on new tires before the car was fixed. That was Ian — he knew he was going to get the car running no matter what, and he lived his life with that same positivity.

Ian attended Starkweather Public School and graduated in May 2026. During his years at Starkweather, he made many friends and formed special relationships with people throughout the school. He participated in drama club, tried his hand at speech and was involved in band and choir.

His love and talent for music deepened the bond he shared with his best friends, whom he met in kindergarten. Together, Ian, Anna, Sawyer and Wyatt formed a band called Auto Drive. Auto Drive toured during the summers, performing at venues throughout North Dakota and at a special event in Wisconsin. Ian and his bandmates made incredible memories together over five years. The band played its final concert in Maddock on Thursday, July 30, before its members went their separate ways to pursue new endeavors. By then, the bandmates were no longer just best friends — they were family.

For Ian, the most important parts of life were his friends and family.

Ian was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Roy and Delores Summers, Kenneth Iverson, Emil and Esther Schmidt and Cecil Brown; great-uncles Randy and Kevin Summers; and cousin Ruby Gustafson.

Survivors include his parents, Jared and Keysha Iverson; siblings Lia and Mason Iverson; great-grandparents Velma Iverson and Victoria Brown; grandparents, Nick and Michele Iverson and Kevin and Crystal Brown; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arrangements were by Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, N.D.