Reiten built the KX Television Network beginning in 1958 when he purchased KXMC-TV in Minot.
He added stations in Bismarck, Dickinson, and Williston and also bought radio stations in the region.
Eventually, Chester sold the radio stations and turned over the television stations to his children.
One reason he made those changes was to devote more time to the festival he founded in 1978, the Norsk Hostfest.
The Hostfest has become the largest Scandinavian festival in North America - attracting major entertainers and more importantly, as far as Reiten was concerned, thousands of people with a desire to celebrate their heritage.
Reiten also was mayor of Minot for 14 years and served as a state senator for 16 years.
He is one of only 38 recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Roughrider Award - the highest honor given by the state of North Dakota.
Chester Reiten died this afternoon with his wife Joy at his side.
We will have more on the life of a true North Dakota legend tomorrow on KX News.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:36:34 GMT
It's a record year for road construction in North Dakota. The Department of Transportation reports there will be almost 900 million dollars spent on highway work - up from 590 million dollars last year. And
It's a record year for road construction in North Dakota. The Department of Transportation reports there will be almost 900 million dollars spent on highway work - up from 590 million dollars last year. And
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:33:03 GMT
Nearly four inches of rain put a temporary halt to work on the 55th street bypass project on Minot's east edge. The two year construction project is expected to come to a close in July. In the meantime,
Nearly four inches of rain put a temporary halt to work on the 55th street bypass project on Minot's east edge. The two year construction project is expected to come to a close in July. In the meantime,
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:29 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:29:53 GMT
Rice Lake residents are facing a rising lake and flooding for a fourth straight year now. With over 4 inches since Saturday, the lake has risen quite significantly. Portions of roadway surrounding Rice
Rice Lake residents are facing a rising lake and flooding for a fourth straight year now. With over 4 inches since Saturday, the lake has risen quite significantly. Portions of roadway surrounding Rice
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:27:55 GMT
Trinity Health announced today that it is closing the Trinity Community Clinic in Parshall starting July. The plan is to consolidate the operations of that clinic to the clinic 19 miles away, in New
Trinity Health announced today that it is closing the Trinity Community Clinic in Parshall starting July. The plan is to consolidate the operations of that clinic to the clinic 19 miles away, in New
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:25:29 GMT
The 2013 graduating class at Minot State University has walked the halls as students for the final time. Which rings in MSU's centennial year. MSU instructors Mark Timbrook and Jonathan Wagner have compiled
The 2013 graduating class at Minot State University has walked the halls as students for the final time. Which rings in MSU's centennial year. MSU instructors Mark Timbrook and Jonathan Wagner have compiled
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>
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