Allen J. Adahl

Allen J. Adahl, 73, of Devils Lake ND passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital with loving family at his side. 

An Open House visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with burial and military honors to follow at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the local Devils Lake VFW chapter: VFW Post #756.

Allen Joseph Adahl, was born October 4, 1948, in Devils Lake ND, the son of Chester and Norma (Jensen) Adahl. He grew up in the Lake Region area and attended Devils Lake Public Schools.

On January 3, 1968, Allen entered the United States Army where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He served with the 919^th Engineering Company armored and 11^th Air Cavalry in Vietnam and was the recipient of several medals, including a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from active duty on August 5, 1969 and served with the Army Reserve until January 2, 1974. He was at one time married to Anita Kitsch and they were the proud parents of Patty and Amy.

Following his military service, Allen returned to the Lake Region and began working for the GTA Elevator Company first in Churchs Ferry and later in Penn, ND.  After several company changes, he was transferred to work at the newly built Lake Region Grain Terminal on the outskirts of Devils Lake, where he continued to work until his retirement.   He was a dedicated, hard-working employee throughout his career and loved to chat with all who entered. 

In Allen’s younger years, he enjoyed playing pool, and participated in many billiard tournaments. He loved the outdoors, working with horses, playing with his dogs, and tending to his Fantail, Roller, and specialty show pigeons. He many times had upwards of fifty pigeons and was still caring for many at the time of his passing. He was an animal lover and tended to them with great care. 

Allen loved being a Grandpa and all the fun times that entailed. His grandkids were his pride and joy and he made sure he was the one to give them all their first M&M.  He was active in the VFW, and he enjoyed many hours playing pinochle and drinking TAB soda with friends at the club.  For thirty plus years, Allen shared his life and love with his precious Glenna Schwab. 

Allen was a man of service. He served his country, he served his employers well, the local farmers whenever they needed him, he provided for his family with love and a caring heart and served his community as a volunteer driver at many of the Kiwanis’ Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals as well as driving fellow Veterans to their various appointments as needed.  Allen is survived by his loving family. His daughters Patty (Wes) Ware of Olathe, Kansas and Amy (John) Skarstad of Fargo, ND; grandchildren Lauren and Ryan Ware, Elenora Skarstad; his beloved Glenna;  nephew Michael Hansen; niece Kristina Miller and other dear family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law Ardith and Gary Hansen.