Obituary/RONALD LYLE DAHL , 93

With hearts full of love and sorrow, we announce the passing of RONALD LYLE DAHL of Kennedy, MN.  He died unexpectedly and peacefully on Tuesday, June 30th at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND.  Through his journey of 93 years, he lived a full and meaningful life and touched many lives with his wisdom, humor, generous heart and unwavering spirit of strength, integrity and perseverance.  Ronald was a cherished and beloved father and grandfather who was known as a kind and gentle man that was steadfast and proud in his love of faith, family, farming and friends.

Ronald was born January 24, 1933, in Svea Township, Kittson County, MN as the 9th of 10 children to the late George and Emma (Anderson) Dahl of Donaldson, MN.  Ronald was baptized and confirmed at Teien Covenant Church.  His childhood was steeped in family traditions and farm life in the Red River Valley.  Ronald developed his love for farming alongside his father and brothers.  They taught him a strong work ethic and the satisfaction of a good day's work, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren, and carried throughout his lifetime.  He was a lifelong resident of Kittson County.

Ronald attended Teien country school for grades 1-8.  He then attended the University of Minnesota Agricultural School in Crookston, MN for grades 9-12 and graduated as Salutatorian in 1951.  Ronald was given the coveted and distinguished White Sweater Award for Best Overall Athlete in baseball, basketball and football.

Ronald proudly served his country with honor and joined the U.S. Army in 1951.  He was stationed in Anchorage, AK during 1952-1953 as a Signal Coder.  His responsibilities in military intelligence were to manage encrypted battlefield communications, network security, or intercept communications.  After receiving his honorable discharge, Ronald attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN in 1955 and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science.

At the age of 27, Ronald married DeeAnn (Minske) Dahl on June 25, 1960, at Grace Lutheran Church in Hallock, MN.  They settled in Donaldson, MN until 1966 when they moved to the farm where Ronald still lived.  Skyhawk Farms began and they raised sugar beets, wheat, barley, alfalfa/hay, flax, oats, sunflowers and columbia/suffolk sheep.  They welcomed their 3 children: Randy in 1962, Kimberly in 1966 and Brian in 1970.

Ronald was an active member in St. Olaf Luthern Church in Donaldson, MN since 1960.  He served on the Davis Township Board, was a member of Flying Farmers, and served on the Farmers Home Administration Board.  In 1971 Ronald was given the prestigious agricultural and rural leadership title of King Agassiz of Kittson County by the Red River Valley Winter Shows in Crookston, MN.  Ronald was an active member with the Stephen, MN Masonic Lodge #279 and the Kem Shriners in Grand Forks, ND holding offices and helping in their activities.

In 1971 Ronald obtained his private pilot's license and shortly thereafter his gold Cessna 172 airplane.  Ronald loved flying around the country with family and friends!  Ronald is soaring and flying high this one last time to once again join his family - the last of the George Dahl family.

Ronald had many passions - he loved fishing for walleyes on Lake of the Woods with family and friends!  The "Skyhawk One" will always feel like home to us.  If that boat could talk, it would have endless fishing tales to tell. He enjoyed hunting at the deer quarter with his sons and relatives, especially chasing those mighty white-tail bucks!  Ronald was an avid supporter of all his children's and grandchildren's sporting careers.  He was incredibly proud of Brian's success in football!  He was a country music lover and had a gift for dancing.  He had a daily ritual of cranking up that stereo and listening to his favorites.  He could cut a rug with the best of them and even had a dance floor in his home.  Holidays with family were among his favorite times.  He was present for—and often the heart of—our most cherished holiday memories.

Ronald enjoyed farming with Randy and having Margot, Heath and Naomi living on the same farm for so many years.  Heath was his pride and joy because he loved learning from and spending time with grandpa.

Ronald loved attending and encouraging Brian throughout his lengthy football career.  He never lost interest in sports and remained an avid sports enthusiast.  Brian took over the farming operations in 1992.  He never went a day without discussing the weather with anyone in earshot.

In 1999 Kimberly and Ronald took a month's adventure to Alaska by driving up the Alcan highway and flying home.  Ronald wanted to revisit his Anchorage military base and Seward where his ship had docked.  5K miles later they had taken a helicopter ride around Mount McKinley, visited Denali National Park, panned for gold, flown above the Arctic Circle to an eskimo village, visited his army base where he found his old barracks and mess hall, 4-wheeled in the mountains until 2am, walked on glaciers, rode a sled pulled by Iditarod dogs, went on a whale watching cruise and saw endless wildlife!   Ronald was thankful when Kimberly and Christian were able to move home to the farm in 2022 and live and care for Ronald in his last years.  He got such joy in witnessing the endless energy and helpful kind nature that is Christian.

Ronald is survived by his 3 children:  Randy Dahl of Kennedy, MN; Kimberly Dahl of Kennedy, MN; and Brian Dahl (Jenny Larson) of Grand Forks, ND; and his 5 grandchildren Heath, Naomi, Elliauna, Emmalyn and Christian Dahl; many nieces and nephews.  We remember his special friends and brothers in life, Harvey Johnson and Terry Tureson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Evelyn (Ragnar) Engelbrektson, Jean (Richard) Petersburg, infant May Dahl; brothers Marcel (Ruby) Dahl, Morris (Inez) Dahl, Willard (Phyllis) Dahl, Vincent (Doris) Dahl, Robert (Florence) Dahl and Ralph Dahl age 4; beloved daughter-in-law Margot Dahl; many nephews who adored him.