William L. Dahlen

William L. Dahlen, 89 of West Fargo formerly of Oakes and Devils Lake ND passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo ND.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake with a time of fellowship to follow at the Parish Center.

Willam Leonard Dahlen was born on November 15, 1933, in Devils Lake, ND, the son of Leonard M. and Drusilla (McCarthy) Dahlen. He grew up on a farm near Webster, ND attending a country school. William graduated from Devils Lake Central High School in 1951

William was united in marriage to his beloved Mary Kuntz on June 28, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crary, ND. They established their home on the family farm near Webster. He worked for a time at Mahanna’s Sheet Metal, then began a long career as a grain elevator manager. His first position was at the Garske Elevator, then Galchutt, ND (south of Fargo), Alice, ND then retired in 1998, after many years as the manager of the Norway Spur Elevator in Oakes, ND. In 2000 William and Mary moved to West Fargo and called it home through the years.

William kept a meticulous lawn and bountiful garden and he and Mary were always thrilled to be awarded Yard of the Week while living in Oakes.  He was an avid reader and he and Mary spent many hours volunteering their time and talent at the Senior Citizen Center in West Fargo. It was a daily task they took on when helping with Meals on Wheels and then helped with all the other Center activities.

William was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo and always took time to support the neighboring churches in their fund-raising events.

But the most important activity in William’s life was time spent with family. He loved the role of Grandpa and Great Grandpa. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and dear brother, uncle, and friend.  

William’s surviving family include his wife Mary of 68 years; sons Mike (Lisa) Dahlen, Fargo ND, Joe (Jodi) Dahlen, Ottertail MN, Jim (Jodi) Dahlen, East Grand Forks MN; seven grandchildren Deja (Sheldon) Fercho, Saraya (Dawon) Ferguson and Kiana Dahlen: Adam (Laura) Dahlen and Jared (Carli) Dahlen: Courtney (Casey) Schell and Tanner (Andrea) Dahlen; nine great grandchildren Quinn: Theo, Blake, Abe and Harper: Austin, Duke, Molly and Tripp; brother Dan (Nola) Dahlen, Devils Lake; in-laws Janet (Charles) Mertens, Jake (Helen) Kuntz, Ray Kuntz all of Devils lake, Theresa Kuntz, Inkom, ID and Mike Kuntz, Eden Prairie, MN; many precious nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Dahlen and in-laws Peter and Johanna Kuntz.