Terrance Dahl, 81
Terrance Richard Dahl, 81, of Drayton, N.D., passed away at Unity Hospital in Grafton, N.D., on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Terry was born April 22, 1941, in Grafton, to Morris and Inez Dahl. He grew up on the family’s farm in Eaglepoint Township, sharing an adventurous childhood with his siblings and his cousins who lived across the farmyard. He attended Eaglepoint School District 66 for grade school, walking the half mile with family and neighbors daily, then went to high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minn., where he made many lifelong friends. Terry began his post-secondary education at the U of M in Minneapolis and then continued at UND in Grand Forks, N.D.
In high school, he met his partner in life, Betty King, from Stephen, Minn., through one of his best friends.
Terry married Betty Ann King on June 24, 1961, in Stephen, at the church his father-in-law pastored, beginning a much-blessed journey together of over 62 years. They lived for a time in Grand Forks, and later, Minneapolis. While in the Twin Cities, Terry learned a great deal as an employee at Pillsbury and then, at 3M. By that time, Terry and Betty had three of their five children: Cheryl, Lynelle, and Scott. One of the life-changing things that Terry learned was that he wanted to farm, and that he wanted to raise his family in the Red River Valley. So in 1965, the young family moved to rural Robbin, Minn., where their children Bethany and Kristopher were born, completing the family with five kids. The family farmed together, earning a living and building a life.
Terry attended Teien Covenant Church his entire life, and was a member of the church council there, serving in various roles. His dedication to stewardship made him a good fit for service as the Stewardship & Properties chairman and also as the cemetery manager, a position he held until his death. He served his community in various ways, including on the Teien Township Board. He enjoyed helping his neighbors and strangers when they had a need. He had a talent for fixing most anything, and developed an ability to do surveying. He used that skill often to help his fellow farmers.
Terry lived on the land, worked the land, and he loved the land. He recognized it as a gift of God to man, and was determined to be a faithful steward of that gift. His family was where he made his greatest earthly investment and where he reaped his deepest joy. His pride in them knew no bounds—especially in regard to his grandkids. He was a very hands-on grandpa who’d stop in and pick up a grandkid and a diaper, and be on his way with a lucky kid who never knew what adventure might be in store.
Terry leaves us with many precious memories and a lasting legacy of faith and family, and his wise counsel to not depend on any man for your survival (Be independent. Trust God!).
His surviving family members include: his wife, Betty, of Drayton; his five children, Cheryl (Luther) Anderson, Lynelle (Matt) Plevak, Scott (Michelle) Dahl, Bethany (Craig) Butler, Kristopher (Kim) Dahl; his 16 grandchildren, Eric and Emily Anderson, Alex, Noah, Isaac and Samuel Plevak, Brock, Krista and Karlin Dahl, Kathryn, Ryan and Jack Butler, and Kameron (Katie) Dahl, Karmin (Rob) Corrick, Karson and Karin Dahl; his great-grandchildren, Bryson Dahl and Kolbie Loue Dahl, and birth great-grandson, Kenny Johnson; his three siblings, Bernadine Albrecht of Ft. Worth, Texas, DuWayne (Marcia) Dahl of The Villages, Fla., and Marcy Johnson of Hallock, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Robert King of The Colony, Texas; one uncle, Ronald Dahl of Kennedy, Minn., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Inez and Morris; brothers-in-law, Neil Johnson and Myron Albrecht; and sister-in-law, Eunice King.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 at the Teien Covenant Church, rural Drayton. Visitation will also be held at the church on Thursday evening, Feb. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Interment will be in the Teien Covenant Church Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements by Austin Funeral Chapel, www. austinfuneralchapel.com.
