Dale Folven

Dale Joseph Folven was born June 9, 1950, in Minot, to Willard and Irene (Schuelke) Folven. He was raised in New Town and graduated from New Town High School in 1968. During high school, he worked on the farm of his uncle, Clem; stomping the hay kept him in good shape for playing football and basketball. He continued his education for a short time at Wahpeton before returning to New Town.

Throughout the 70s and early 80s, Dale worked for several companies in construction and trucking, living in Granville and Minot. He worked for Minot Paving, Overlie Trucking, H&P Oil, and Concrete Mobile. He married Colleen Weflen in 1979 and was blessed with three daughters.

In 1984, the family moved to New Town to help his in-laws with their farming operation, and he started Dale’s Bobcat Service. He also drove a school bus for New Town Schools for several years. He played in an intermural basketball league in Parshall. His first marriage ended in divorce, but they co-parented and continued as friends.

Dale was united in marriage to Colleen Lind on June 23, 2001. They made their home on a farm near Van Hook. They started a fishing camp on their lakefront property which is sometimes called the suburbs of Van Hook. Dale’s Bobcat Service morphed into snow removal and backhoe services, as well as septic service.

He and Colleen celebrated 21 blessed years together and shared many wonderful adventures. Dale enjoyed trail rides and get-togethers with family and friends. He liked traveling and spending time in Arizona. He loved music and dancing. Dale retired and they moved to Minot in 2012.

Dale, “Bright Eyes”, was a perfect example of what a best friend should be…and he was a friend to many. He was caring, kind, generous, and always helping someone; he never met a stranger. He liked to visit and reminisce about the old days and would go out of his way to talk with you.

Dale’s greatest joy was his family. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and attending all their sports and school activities. He was so proud of them all. He set a good example for his children and grandchildren, and they live by the phrase “what would Papa do?”

On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, Dale Folven, at the age of 72, passed away at a hospital in Minot. In honor of Dale, go out of your way to say “hi” and be a friend. He will be greatly missed.

Dale is survived by his wife, Colleen Folven of Minot; daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah and Chad Rismon, Abby and Mike Reep, both of Stanley and Kelsey and Jerry Langham of Van Hook; grandchildren, Carly and Cooper Rismon; Camden, Kane, and Corbin Reep; Julia Langham and Ashton Hillman; brothers, Michael Folven of Minot and William (Kim) Folven of Bismarck; stepchildren, Shane Hillman (Leslie) and Lindsey Hillman, both of Minot; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Terry) Harder of Tennessee and Barb (Mark) Sauvageau of Bismarck; brothers-in-law, Gary (Rachael) Lind of Bismarck and Robin Lind of Roseglen; nieces and nephews, Kacey Trussell, Jesse, Jennifer, Joey, and Jake Folven, Jackie Baldridge, and Travis Stave.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant grandchild, and granddaughter, Paige Holmes; sister, Barb Stave; brothers-in-law, Terry Stave and Trent Lind; and parents-in-law, Art and Shirley Lind.

Funeral: Monday, January 9, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Bethel Lutheran Church, New Town.

A visitation was held on Sunday at Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

(www.langhansfuneralhome.com)