Donald J. Berdahl, 88, Minot, and formerly of the Michigan, ND area, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in a Minot Hospital.

Donald was born February 5, 1921 at Michigan, ND, the son of Emil and Lydia (Fontaine) Berdahl. He was raised and educated in the Michigan area and assisted with the operation of the family farm during his younger years.

Don was united in marriage to Arlene Martinson on December 2, 1944 at Lakota. They made their home at Michigan, where he was employed at the Ford Dealership from 1944-1948. He then began farming in that area and farmed until 1955, when he moved his family to Minot. He began employment at I Keating Furniture World in October of 1955, and continued to work there until retiring as the Manager of the Warehouse in 1986.

Don was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minot. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with playing bingo in his later years. He loved to play practical jokes especially on his family. He loved to dance and enjoyed teaching his girls how to polka. He enjoyed life and was a wonderful father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family.

His loving family includes: wife of over 64 years, Arlene; children, Marlene (Jim) Brandt, Minot, Marilynn Tayler, Kokamo, Ind., Connie Marie Mercier, Walton, Ind., Carol (Carl) Florez, St. Augustine, FL, Roxanne Kellan, Minot, Linda (Daniel) Seaman, Minot, Lorie Ann Meyer, Minot, Allan (Cathy) Berdahl, Minot, Donald Berdahl, Minot, Robert Berdahl, Minot, Cathy Jo Berdahl, Minot, Peggy Lynn Sheppard, Minot; Forth-Two Grandchildren, Twenty-Four Great-Grandchildren; brother, Marlen (Janice) Berdahl, Lake Metigoshe, ND; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, son, David in 1972 in the Vietnam War, grandson, Christopher Florez, along with nine brothers and two sisters.

Funeral service : Friday, July 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Thursday from 2:00-7:00pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.