Thief River Falls - Alan Dalen, 69, died Saturday, May 15, 1999 at his home in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, May 19) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverend Tim Bauer officiating. Ida Nordvall will be the organist, and the soloist will be Mark Dalen. Casketbearers will be Ed Sisler, Don Johnsen, Verne Spengler, Roy Holm, Charles Samuelson and Tim Engelstad. Honorary casketbearers will be fellow members of the Golden Pioneer Club. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 at Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services at the church.
Alan Olaf Dalen was born on March 12, 1930 in Grants Pass, OR, the son of Selmer and Maud (Mayo) Dalen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. The family lived in Grants Pass, OR until Alan was three and they moved to Verndale. Alan attended Verndale schools, graduating from Verndale High School in 1948. Following high school he attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1953.
On June 30, 1951 Alan was united in marriage to Arlene "Kip" Haugen at Staples. Before coming to Thief River Falls in 1971, the couple lived in Minneapolis for one year, Greenbush for three years, Kimball for eight years and Cokato for seven years. In Thief River Falls, Alan taught farm mechanics and farm management at the Area Vocational Technical College.
Alan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Golden Pioneer Club and the Eagles.
He enjoyed deer and bird hunting, fishing, and working with his computer. A "Jack of all trades," Alan always took the time to help his neighbors when they needed something fixed.
Alan is survived by his wife, Arlene; three sons, Mark (Nancy) Dalen of Snohomish, WA, Dean (Renee) Dalen of Thief River Falls and Todd (Marcy) Dalen of Warroad; one daughter, Peggy (Bill) Hunter of Montrose; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters, Mavis Lemke of Brighton, CO and Joyce Estes of Bloomington; one brother, Warren (Kay) Dalen of Brandon; one sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Sherman Dalen. A00003B1999MY19