Donald Norman Bringedahl died peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Radville Marian Health Centre. Donald Norman Bringedahl was born August 11, 1927 to Ben (Baard) and Emma Bringedahl. He was the youngest of four children, two sisters Florine (1920) and Jemaine (1923) one brother Milo (1925). Don was born on the SW 03-01-19. When he was a little more than a year old the family moved to their newly built home on the NE 02-01-19. This is where the family farm still remains. A story that was told on moving day was that the weather was so cold that the stove was loaded hot and was used to keep baby Don's feet warm. Don attended Three Lakes School where he completed his Grade 8. He then moved to Regina and began his next stage of schooling at a technical school. This venture lasted a whole three days. The next move was with his brother and some friends where they traveled to Calgary, Alberta to find work. Don became a boiler man helper and aided in the constructing of railcars for the CP Rail. Grandma Emma told of the letters he would send home about how he missed the farm and that city life did not sit well with him. So it was no big surprise that he soon moved back to the farm to continue his life there. Don met Bernice Fuhr in 1947. Her family had moved to Gladmar to manage the Security Lumber Store. The two were married in Plentywood, Montana on October 24, 1953. Bryce once asked his dad how he managed to be the one that married mom; dad only smiled and said "I was the first one to town." Together Don and Bernice settled on the family farm helping Grandpa Ben and Grandma Emma with the farming. Eventually they took over the management of the farm. A family was started with the arrival of Susan in 1955 and Bryce in 1958. Things Susan and Bryce remember from their growing up years; is their dad driving them to the one room school house and then picking them up every afternoon; the building of the new farm home in 1968; picnics at Mainprize Park; the family fishing trips; trips they took with their close friends going to Hawaii, Mexico and Arizona; lefsa making day and Missy his very demanding cat. After the passing of Bernice in 1989, Don made a move from the farm to his house in the Village of Gladmar. Don very much enjoyed watching the daily happenings of Gladmar. A great thing happened in 2006, the Bringedahl family had the privilege of meeting long lost family from Norway. Three of his newly found first cousins later came to Canada for a visit and the connection blossomed into an instant lifelong friendship. Don was so happy to meet them and to learn more of his family history in Norway. Don attended Sunday services at the Gladmar Lutheran Church. During the week he made many trips to the church to check to see if the lawn mowing job was up to his standards, to see if the basement had once again flooded after a big rain and to trim, prune and seed grass in the church's grove of trees. Susan would like to thank him for that. A favourite story that has been told over the years is of a resourceful young farm boy who wanted to sell his flat tired bicycle. What he did was to fill the tires with oats, then soaked the tires in the water trough until the oats were swollen enough to stay hard - then the sale was made. As life went on new family members were added, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Don welcomed each one of them with unexpressed love. On Don's 80th birthday, Susan and Bryce and their spouses took Don to Medora, North Dakota for three days. They all had such a great time and many memories were made that weekend. Don lived a good long life. He was proud to be the son of a pioneer. Susan and Bryce feel privileged to have had him as their dad and thank him for all his teaching, patience and parenting. Happy Father's Day dad and we love you. A funeral service was held on Friday, June 21 at 2:30 PM from Gladmar Lutheran Church, Gladmar with Wendy Caldwell officiating. Interment took place at Gladmar Cemetery. Pallbearers were Keith Ehrhardt, Blaine Vargo, Dale Muxlow, Glenn Ehrhardt, Brian Vargo, Darcy Muxlow, Torrie Bringedahl, Loren Vargo, Clayton Muxlow and Perry Rasmussen. Donations in memory of Donald may be made to the Gladmar Lutheran Church or the Radville & District Hospital Foundation Inc. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels, Weyburn, 306-842-5432
