Merlyn J. Dalsted

Merlyn James Dalsted passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Pembina County Memorial Hospital, Cavalier, ND the age of 92. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier ND. Visitation will be held from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Merlyn was born on May 7, 1933, at Svold, ND. He was the son of John and Elinora “Ella” (Thorleifson) Dalsted. He grew upon the family farm and ranch in the Svold area. Merlyn attended grade school at the Svold school, later getting his GED at UND in the spring of 1982.

On May 19, 1972, Merlyn married Kaye Bill in Hamilton, ND. They began their married life on the family farm in Svold. They built their life around farming and ranching. He farmed the original homestead with his brother, John Allen, and with their father, John, until he died. When his brother, John Allen, died, Merlyn continued to live and work on the farm.

Merlyn and Kaye had two daughters, Merlynda and Kaylyn. Merlynda married Jason Hurst, and they had three children that spent precious time with their Afi, Merlyn. He had a special relationship with his son-in-law, Jason, and he enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and go off to excel in college. Cayden moving back to the farm and remodeling his grandfather’s house, Ella moving to Harvey to begin her first year as an elementary teacher and Colten exceeding in college playing football and playing in the band.

Merlyn was very proud of his family and loved being with his grandchildren. The family has many wonderful memories of being together for birthday parties, Christmas celebrations and family events. He was very close to his family and always kept in touch with other family members throughout the years.

Merlyn had many interests that he enjoyed through the years. He was a member of the Dalsted Family Band for many years playing for dances, parties, nursing homes, and the county fair free stage. Merlyn played the guitar for many years with friends: Harmony Hobos, Westernaires and the Valley Ramblers. Merlyn was the last member of the Dalsted Band. One of his memorable experiences was flying with Jason Hinkle over Merlyn's farm and the surrounding areas.

His Icelandic heritage was a big part of his life. He was known for his fluent knowledge of the Icelandic language and met many Icelanders through the years at the August the Deuce Celebrations in Mountain, ND, where he was once the Grand Marshall of the parade. He never missed the 2nd of August Celebration, which included this year, 2025, for the Friday fish fry and the parade. He was always able to meet and connect with Icelanders from Iceland and he was known as the Icelandic Singing Cowboy for singing his favorite Icelandic songs.

He was proud of his family, his Icelandic roots and his family's musical heritage. He will be remembered for his incredible memory of the history of Advanced Township, neighbors, friends and relatives, the Svold area and neighborhood communities. He loved to talk about the Icelandic and American folklore and loved antique machinery and the D8 Caterpillar. He never lost touch with family in Western ND, West Coast and Canada.

For 13 years, Merlyn was the bus driver for the Cavalier School, board member of the Mountain Vikur Church, Peter's Cemetery, Model Airplane Club, Ham Radio operator since 1963, (his call letters were WA0GWD) and he was a Weather Spotter for Pembina County.

Merlyn is survived by his children, Merlynda (Jason) Hurst, Kaylyn Dalsted (Roxanne Bergeson), three grandchildren: Cayden Hurst, Ella Hurst and Colten Hurst and many nieces and nephews. He had a close relationship with his wife's family, the Bills. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kaye on August 30, 1996, Rosa Dalsted Thordarson Johnson, Sig Dalsted, Barney Dalsted, Dorothy Dalsted Crowston, John Allen Dalsted. Merlyn was the last living family member.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Peters Cemetery or the Pembina County Historical Society.