Selmer
Dimmen, 85
Thief River Falls - Selmer Dimmen, 85, died Saturday, July 31,1999 at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday, August 4) at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverend Gary Johnson officiating. Phyllis Dalager will be the organist, and vocal music will be provided by Joel Kezar. Casketbearers will be Jerry Dimmen, Larry Dimmen, Donald Dyrdal, Gary Johnson, Randy Johnson and Jason Walker. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 3 to 8 p.m on Tuesday, August 3 at Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services at the church.
Selmer John Dimmen was born on February 2, 1914 in Norden township of Pennington county, the son of Louis Peter Gerhard and Evelina "Lena" Elizabeth (Hegstrom) Dimmen. He was baptized at Landstad Lutheran Church near their farm and was later confirmed at Oak Ridge Lutheran Church. He received his education at the Dimmen School, named so because it was located on a corner of his parents' farm. Following his schooling Selmer worked on the government WPA project at Bena. On April 30, 1942 he entered the service and served on the islands of Trinidad and Tabago, and following his discharge, he returned to the Thief River Falls area.
On December 12, 1945 he was united in marriage to Lois Torkildson in Thief River Falls. The couple made their home in the community where Selmer operated a taxi service and also a hamburger shop for some time. He later worked in floor finishing and carpet laying, retiring a few years ago. Lois died on March 27, 1978.
Selmer was very active in the work of VFW Post 2793, serving as junior vice president, senior vice president and commander. He also served as the post's chaplain for over 20 years.
He was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Eagle's Aerie, the American Legion Post, VFW Cooties, Odd Fellows lodge, Sons of Norway and the North Dakota chapter of Polka Lovers of America. He was a Meals on Wheels volunteer and donated his services to the Heritage Community Center, laying the carpeting when it was built. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards and spending time with his family.
Selmer is survived by three daughters, Yvonne Charles of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Nancy Smith and Eloise Dimmen, both of East Grand Forks; one son, Mark Dimmen of Thief River Falls; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Glenn (Elouise) of Macon, GA; three sisters, Ella Johnson and Leona Paulson, both of Thief River Falls, and Mable Anderson of Warren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; one grandson, Joshua Walker; one granddaughter, Heather Dimmen; his parents; five brothers, Lloyd, Clarence, Ivan, Elvin James and Clifford; and one sister, Gladys in infancy. A00003B1999AG04