CAROLL M. SPIDAHL

Caroll M. Spidahl, 85, Devils Lake, ND, died Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in Hospice of Arizona. Funeral Services for Caroll will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Rev. Reuben Schnaidt officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, January 23rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Caroll Myron Spidahl was born on June 6, 1929 to Benjamin and Thelma (Stras) Spidahl, west of Minnewaukan, ND. He started school in Minnewaukan. Then in 1941 when the family moved to the Frank Harris place, south of Fort Totten he attended Lone Tree Country School. In 1944 the family moved to the Howard Maher Farm, south of Devils Lake and Caroll attended Devils Lake Central School. The family moved to the Nels Johnson farm east of Starkweather in 1947. For a few years, Caroll would work at Powell Motor Company during the winter months and the summers were spent on the farm. In March of 1951, Caroll entered the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War. His basic training was at Fort Hood, Texas with the First Armored Division and he studied wheel vehicle school at the non-commission officer’s academy. He then attended tank mechanic school in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1952, Caroll shipped off to Japan and was stationed at Camp McNair at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Shortly before his planned discharge, his Dad died so he was granted an early discharge in March of 1953. Caroll returned to Starkweather to help his mother with the farm operation. In order to help support the family, Caroll did custom combining, worked as a carpenter for Alex Nash and also as a Foreman and Truck Driver for the Burns Road Construction Company. Caroll was united in marriage to Byrdia Marie Lauckner on June 6, 1956 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Caroll had begun his 43 year career with the Devils Lake Ford Dealership in the fall of 1955. Of course he worked in all areas of the garage, but was especially acknowledged as the transmission specialist. Caroll’s life as a mechanic began at the age of 11, helping his Dad work on the farm machinery. In 1947, after working on several different makes of trucks and cars he decided he was strictly a “Ford” man. In his retirement he had more time for restoration projects and many of those were B Ellis Chalmer, Ford, John Deere, Case and International Tractors and he also did small engine repair. But he finally had the time to take in some auction sales and buy some more little tractors and little gas engines, old tools and those things that might only interest a good mechanic. Caroll was a hard working, dedicated employee but first and foremost was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. Every year, Caroll made sure there was atleast one family vacation in the homemade camper off to places far and near. Every vacation did include some family fishing and guaranteed fun, laughter and memories that would last a lifetime. Caroll was a life member of the VFW and also enjoyed membership in the Devils Lake Elks Lodge. Caroll is survived by his wife of 58 years, Byrdia; daughter Barbara (Dennis) Meer, Stevens Point, WI; sons Larry (Pam) Spidahl, Devils Lake and Wayne (Shawn) Spidahl, Warren, MN; grandchildren Don (Wendi) Possen, Pam (Julian) Fernandez, Jonathon (Holly) Meer, Katharyn Meer, Frederick Meer, Jenna Meer-Terry Spidahl, Jesse (Melissa) Spidahl- Angela Spidahl and Halle Spidahl; step grandson Aaron (Jenny) Skinner; great grandchildren Gabriella, Michael-Dyson, Terran-Tate, Tacee; step-great grandchildren Allison and Jordyn; sister Mae Wetch, Franklin, TN; brothers Rodger Spidahl, Devils Lake and Gordon (Adele) Spidahl, Dent, MN; many in-laws, nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Bernice Haugen, Jeanette Gregory, Louella Johnston, and Benjamin “Bennie Jr” Spidahl. Serving as Casket Bearers for Caroll will be Charlie McGavey and grandchildren Don Possen, Jonathon Meer, Frederick Meer, Katharyn Meer, Angela Spidahl, Terry Spidahl and Jesse Spidahl. Music will be provided by Tom Wade and Lynda Pearson.