Bernard Joseph Solberg, 94, longtime Minot area farmer and resident, died Friday, March 9, 2012 in Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City.

Bernard was born April 12, 1917 at Minot, North Dakota, the son of Bert and Lena (Halvorson) Solberg. He was raised and educated in the Minot area and attended schools at McKinley Township and graduated from Minot High School in 1936. He received his standard teacher's certificate from Minot State Teacher's College and taught at a rural school south of Ryder from 1940-1941. It was during this time he met his future wife who was also teaching in a rural school in the area.

Bernard was united in marriage to Evelyn Willie on December 29, 1942 at Makoti. They made their home on a farm in McKinley Township of Ward County, where they raised small grains and cattle. They lived there until 1978 when they moved into Minot. Evelyn died March 18, 1980.

Bernard continued to live in Minot and moved to Edgewood Vista prior to making his residence at Trinity Homes in 2007. He moved to Valley City during the flood of 2011.

Bernard was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minot. He also served on the ASCS Board, Augsburg College Board; Farmer's Union Elevator Board and was a member of the Minot Elks Lodge. He was an avid volunteer working with Meals on Wheels, and an active member of the Minot Golden Kiwanis. He and Evelyn enjoyed trips to Norway and Hawaii. He also enjoyed woodworking and watching baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals.

His loving family includes children, Stan (Kathy) Solberg, Minot, Sheryl Solberg, Valley City, ND, Stuart Solberg, Minot; grandchildren, Eric Solberg, Sean (Mika) Solberg, and Matthew Solberg; great grandchildren, Madison, McKenna and Kai Solberg, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, Arthur, Ingvold, Morris, Louis and sisters, Ellen, Irene, Alice and Lillian.

Funeral service: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Minot.
Visitation : Monday, March 12th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Special Olympics, Ann Carlsen Center, Jamestown and Zion Church, Minot.