Gordon R. “Sam” Somdahl

Gordon R. Somdahl, also known as Sam, age 77 passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021, while surrounded by friends at his home.

Sam was born on October 16, 1944, to Russell and Ruth (Jensen) Somdahl of Ulen, MN. He graduated from Ulen High School in 1962, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball.

After high school, Sam enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, Sam worked at Pillsbury Four in Minneapolis where he met the love of his life, Nancy. In 1968, Sam and Nancy Davis were married. During their marriage, they lived in St. Louis Park, MN, moving to rural Hawley, MN in November of 1974, and then to Big Cormorant Lake in March of 2008. They were married 50 years prior to Nancy’s passing in February of 2019.

During his life, he worked as a diesel mechanic with Interstate Diesel in Minneapolis, which led to him being transferred later to Fargo Interstate Diesel, and then with Merle Jegtvig at Valley Express, until he retired.

Sam loved to go on long walks with the dogs, fishing, watching the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Twins. He always could find a way to fix anything the needed fixing.

Sam is survived by his son, Andy (Wendy) of Hawley, MN; granddaughters, Jesa and Layce; sisters, Shirley Haugen of Fargo, ND, Marilyn (Tom) Roth of Livingston, MT; brother, Barry (Juli) Somdahl of Audubon, MN; nieces, Sherri, Jennifer, Hillary, and Hope; nephew, Scott; and his beloved dog, Blondie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; parents, Russell and Ruth Somdahl.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley.