Dale Opdahl, 84, Minot, died Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in his home.

Dale Maurice Opdahl was born on March 3, 1936 to Oscar and Lois (Bykonen) Opdahl. He was the oldest of three children. Dale married Mari Louise (Skip) Olsen, whom he affectionately called "Sweetie", on March 12, 1965. Together they made their home on the family farm, where they raised their two "favorite" daughters, Cheryl and Veronica, whom he lovingly nicknamed Prudi. Skip always kept him well fed with her home cooking, where he would holler out afterwards, "My complaints to the chef!", followed by a belch.

He was a hard worker, always keeping busy, and was a man who proudly loved the United States. He joined the service, and "served in the war" driving jeep, in 1960. After leaving the service in 1962, he started his twenty-five-year oil field career at the Tioga Gas Plant and spent the remaining 9 years employed at Western Gas, until he took his early retirement in 1996. Dale welcomed the "sons he never had" into the family in 1990 and 1999, where he quickly taught them the motto he instilled in his girls all his life, "what's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine also."

In 2000 Dale and Skip made their home in Minot, so he could come pick up his granddaughter, Ciarra from school when Cheryl would forget about her. He enjoyed his retirement in his chair, where he would continue to watch old western reruns, and would belly laugh to "Married with Children" and "Dumb and Dumber" no matter how many times he had seen them. It is said, there was never a remote control that didn't fit his hand.

Dale liked things "just so", everything was in its place adjusted to him, so he would always be comfortable. Especially with his chair. No one dared sit in that chair. He enjoyed spending time with his family whether they were coming over for supper and a visit, or if they were there to play a game of Tri-Ominos. He would only play as long as they let him win. While he loved his family dearly, he was NOT a hugger. When his "grandson"-in-law, Calby came into the family, he quickly learned after a goodbye hug attempt, that a handshake would be "just fine."

He enjoyed cars, whether he was buying them, trading them, or admiring them, and you would always find George, Waylon or Willie tuned in on the radio. There must have been a little red neck inside him, as he was a vocal Trump supporter. He was eagerly awaiting election day to make sure Trump stayed in office.

Dale was preceded in death by his father and mother, Oscar and Lois Opdahl; sister, Chloe Hart; brother, Lyle Opdahl, and great-nephew, Trevor Hart. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Skip Opdahl; daughters, Cheryl (Steve) Jorgenson, Minot, ND; Prudi (Wes) Frisco, Minot, ND; granddaughter, Ciarra (Calby) Beckstrand, Fargo, ND; two great-granddaughters, Marlee Grace and Norah Kate Beckstrand, Fargo, ND; grand dogs, "Pretty Baby" and "The Worthless Hounds"; sister-in-law, LeeAnn Opdahl, Battleview, ND; many nieces, and great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Thomas Funeral Home in Minot on Friday, October 16 ^th , 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. With a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Dave Wisthoff will officiate.
Dale's Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17 ^th , 2020 at the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in Battleview, ND.
Due to COVID-19, we ask that everyone adheres to local and state requirements for social distancing.
Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Cemetery Fund, Battleview.