Doris Fahlstrom

Doris Fahlstrom, age 94, of Dickinson, North Dakota, formerly of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at St. Benedict's Health Center in Dickinson. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., Thursday, April 1, 2010, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, April 2, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church in Beach with Pastor Roger Dieterle officiating. Interment will follow in the Lutheran Cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with arrangements. Doris Montana McGee was born on February 8, 1916, in Geraldine, Montana, the second child of Melvin and Essie (Saunders) McGee. Doris attended schools in Geraldine and Burke, Idaho, where she graduated at the age of 16. She attended business school in Portland, Oregon. While in Portland, she was employed as a stenographer with Russell, Hoppe, Stewart & Balfour Stock and Bond Brokers, Pacific Fruit Express and Bonneville Power. Doris met her true love, Leonard Fahlstrom, while in Portland. She and Leonard were married on January 12, 1944, in New York City, New York. Following Leonard's discharge from the United States Navy, the couple returned to the family farm in Golden Valley County, North Dakota, in an army truck that Leonard had purchased. They farmed with Leonard's father, Gunnar. They also operated Fahlstrom Grain Company in Beach. Doris and Leonard were blessed with three children: Joan, Linda, and Craig. Doris and Leonard lived on the family farm until 1984, at which time they bought a home in Beach. When the children were older, Doris was employed as a teacher's aide at Lincoln Elementary School in Beach. She also worked as a secretary for the First Lutheran Church. Later in her life, she wrote special interest articles for the Golden Valley News and provided photographs for the articles. After the retirement of Leonard's long-term secretary at the elevator, Doris took on the position of bookkeeper at the Fahlstrom Grain Company. Doris was a member of the First Lutheran Church and participated in the church circle. She served as a member of the church council and as a Sunday School teacher. She was also active in supporting the Badlands Bible Camp. She was a 4-H leader and a member of the Thelen Homemaker's Club. As Doris' children left the nest, she decided to take up photography, and she enrolled in a correspondence photography course. Her photos were featured on the covers of Horizons and REC magazines. A Horizons calendar was dedicated to her talented photography. One of her photographs, "The Gnarled Hands of the Farmer" was featured in a New York gallery. She also wrote articles and took photos for the Golden Valley News. One of her series of articles and photographs featured those who had turned 80 years old in Golden Valley County. Doris and her husband both enjoyed traveling and took trips to Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawaii, and Mexico. They shared their love of travel with their children and grandchildren, taking several trips to Disney World. Doris shared her photos of travels to other countries via slide shows to various groups in the community. Doris had a delightful sense of humor that endeared her to her family and friends. She could find humor in the everyday happenings and often had a story to share. Her hearty laughter is a memory her family will cherish. Writing letters was something she enjoyed, and she faithfully kept up correspondences with distant friends and family over the years. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Essie McGee; her husband, Leonard Fahlstrom; her daughter, Linda Fahlstrom; and her brother, Don McGee. Doris will be remembered by her family: daughter, Joan (Pat) Mins of Maple Grove, MN; son, Craig (Merrill) Fahlstrom of Dickinson, ND; grandchildren, Kelly (Jason) Williams of Shoreview, MN; Danya Fahlstrom of Bloomington, MN; Kyra Fahlstrom of Denver, CO; and Savannah Fahlstrom of Minneapolis, MN; and great-grandchild, Winston Williams of Shoreview, MN. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Badlands Bible Camp, PO Box 305, Medora, ND 58645.

Doris Fahlstrom

February 8, 1916 - April 2, 2010

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Doris Fahlstrom

February 8, 1916 - April 2, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support