Gordon Dahl

Sawyer

Gordon Dahl, 84, rural Sawyer, died Monday, January 5, 2026, in a Minot hospital due to complications related to dementia.

Gordon John Dahl was born May 16, 1941, in Minot, ND to Bert and Anna Dahl. He was raised on the family farm that was established in 1943. He started his education at a local country school and in grade school started attending Sawyer school. He graduated from Sawyer High School in 1960 and married the love of his life, Darlene Fredrickson, on June 20, 1961. They lived on the Dahl farm until February 2025 when they moved to Somerset Assisted Living in Minot.

Gordon and Darlene raised their 4 children on the family farm and loved watching their families grow as their children married and gifted them with 9 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He had a great love for his family here and also his family in Norway-visiting them twice and having many visit him at the farm over the years, memories he treasured.

Gordon was a steward of God’s land. Farming and ranching were not just a job to Gordon; they were his identity and brought him great joy. We loved to plant and harvest his crops every year, and he won a soil conservation award for his work of the land. Gordon’s cows were not just animals and a means of income- they were an integral part of the legacy he built, one that will continue on the Dahl farm. He spent many hours checking his cows and loved to watch his new calves jump and run in the Spring. He loved animals of all kinds, but especially new puppies and often had a special dog riding beside him while he worked.

Gordon was involved in his community and took great pride in serving on both the Minot Farmer’s Union Elevator and Max Farmer’s Elevator during years when they had great expansion. He also was a 4H leader, served on the Newman Township Board for numerous years, as well as being on the church council for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sawyer.

Gordon loved going to rodeos and attended the very first performance of the Y’s Men’s Rodeo in 1955. He attended the Saturday night performance for 59 straight years, and could be spotted sitting with mom, family or friends in his same section. He loved attending rodeo and bull riding events and especially loved watching several of his grandkids compete in rodeo, basketball, football and any other activities they enjoyed. He was a proud member of the Max Rodeo Club for many years.

Gordon instilled his faith in God and many values in his kids and grandkids. He lived his life with honesty and was a man of great integrity. He was a hard worker, a great provider, and loved his family, friends, and farm with his whole heart. He took great pride in the Dahl farm and its continued legacy with his sons and grandsons. Darlene was his special person and often referred to her as his “sweetheart”. He loved to buy her flowers and other nice gifts for special occasions.

Gordon had an infectious personality, was a great friend to many, and had an incredible knack for telling stories! This skill landed him one of his favorite jobs outside of farming and ranching, being a PR field rep for the local livestock auction. It combined some of his favorite things: visiting with fellow ranchers and talking cattle, eating pie and coffee, and making new friends.

Gordon will be most remembered for his love of gatherings with family and friends, and he always enjoyed a good party. He had an outgoing personality and could work his way around any room. It always took twice as long to go anywhere, as “Gordy” often got sidetracked talking to others.

He is survived by his wife of over 64 years Darlene, kids: Gaylyn (Vanessa) Dahl, Grant (Denise) Dahl, Ginger (Mike) Lautenschlager, Genelle (Curt) Olson; grand kids: Brooke (David) Collins, Jordan Dahl, Wacey (Taryn Hoger and family), Lane (Tayte) Dahl, Mason (Hannah) Lautenschlager, Payton (Bayleigh) Lautenschlager, Braydon (Grace) Lautenschlager, Cayley (Patrick) Heide, and Gage Olson; and 16 great-grandkids and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 half-siblings and their spouses, mother and father-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law and their spouses, and many great friends.

Celebration of Gordon’s Life: 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences, access his obituary at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot

Visitation: Sunday, January 11th from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Max Rodeo Club.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 8, 2026.