Peter Solberg

Peter Carl Solberg, age 85, of Rolette, ND, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022, at St. Andrew’s Hospital in Bottineau, ND.

Peter Carl Solberg was born on September 6, 1937, to Albert Solberg and Alice (Simonson) Solberg, joining brother Ernest and sister Joän. He grew up on the family farm near Rolette. He graduated Rolette High School in 1955. He attended Dakota College in Bottineau for two years, then earned a civil engineering degree at NDSU in Fargo. Peter was very musical throughout his life; playing guitar, trumpet, harmonica, violin, and piano. He enjoyed singing in choirs and ensembles.

In 1963 he moved to Alaska, where he worked as a surveyor for the Coast Guard in Ketchikan. Afterward, he worked as a consultant for Morrison-Knudsen Construction (MK).

In 1964 he worked for the State of Alaska on several projects, including the Hurricane Bridge in central Alaska. He just missed the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake due to an out of state trip. Back with MK again, he worked on building the roads to and in Valdez when the town was relocated 4 miles inland after the tsunami. He also worked in Sitka helping to build the runway to the Sitka Airport. This is where he met and married his wife Kay Sproat in April of 1965.

They lived in what is now Okinawa, Japan for 8 months in 1966-1967 where Pete worked on extending the Kadena airstrip for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1967 they moved to Seattle and purchased properties that Peter built into rentals. Their daughter Lisa Kay was born in April of 1969.

In 1976 the family moved to Gakona, AK and lived in a log cabin on the banks of the Gakona River while Peter worked as a civil engineer on the Alaska Pipeline. Their son John Peter was born in July of this year.

The family moved back to Seattle in 1977 to raise their children. Peter returned to Alaska several times to work on various projects. The family enjoyed traveling to visit relatives and camping in various states. Peter was a gifted orator and loved telling stories from his youth, college days, Alaskan adventures, and Solberg family tales.

In 1991 Peter returned to ND to care for his parents until they passed away in 1996 and 2001. He said being their caregiver was one of the highlights of his life. His sister Joän joined him on the farm in 2007. She quickly converted Peter into an avid Twins baseball fan.

He remained on the farm until 2011, moving then to the St.Andrew’s apartments in Bottineau so he could continue physical therapy after losing a leg. He never let anything slow him down and remained very involved in the community. He used his many talents to organize a music group called “The St. Andrew’s Singers,” who performed locally and at the annual Hawk Days. He loved spending time at the farm visiting family.

He lived his life graciously, with generosity, and in service to others. He was beloved by everyone and will be deeply missed.

Peter is survived by his children, Lisa Solberg of Seattle, WA and John Solberg of Denver, CO; and sister Joän Wulkowicz of Rolette, ND.

He was preceded in death by his brother Ernest Solberg and parents Albert and Alice Solberg.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 3 PM in the Bisbee Lutheran Church (Bisbee location), followed by burial in the Bisbee Cemetery. Pastor Bonnie Weaver will officiate. Arrangements by Gilbertson’s Funeral Home in Devils Lake.