Dale Van Berkom

Dale A. Van Berkom, age 81, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 25, at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation starting one hour before at Hawley Lutheran Church. A livestream will be available on Dale’s page at www.wrightfuneral.com starting at 11:00A.M. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Powers Lake, ND.

Dale Arnold Van Berkom was born on April 11, 1939 at his family home in rural Powers Lake, ND to John (J.H.) and Floy (Hilborn) Van Berkom. He was the youngest of four children. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Powers Lake High School in 1957. He participated in band, choir, baseball, and basketball in his younger years. Dale attended college at North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo, ND and served in the U.S. Army before returning to the family farm. He married JoAnn Reed in September 1967 and they made their home on the family farm. They raised four children, Kristi, Jarret, Brian, and Juli together. Dale was a farmer, rancher, and a jack of all trades. He drove a school bus, drove a semi-truck, helped widows in the area with home repair and his favorite side job of all was cutting down trees to burn in his wood stoves. Dale enjoyed telling stories and even just days before his death was writing jokes and stories down when he was no longer able to verbally tell them. He and JoAnn had a great time performing in community theatre. He loved having coffee with friends, playing cards with friends, bowling, golfing, softball and sang at many weddings, funerals, and other celebrations over the years. He enjoyed going to his children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting events, watching the Minnesota Vikings and especially the Minnesota Twins. He absolutely loved dogs, especially black labs. Dale and JoAnn relocated to Hawley, MN in 2009 after JoAnn retired. Dale was an active member in his church Holy Cross Lutheran of Powers Lake for many years and later was a member at Hawley Lutheran. He was a member of the American Legion for 50 years.

Dale is survived by his wife of 53 years, JoAnn Van Berkom; daughter Kristi Erdman of Grand Rapids, MN, son Jarret (Brenda) Van Berkom of Powers Lake, ND, son Brian (Jennifer) Van Berkom of Jamestown, ND, daughter Juli (Ryan) Muehler of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Katelyn (Lee) Braunagel of Bismarck, ND, Austin Erdman of Rosenberg, TX, Justin Van Berkom of Fargo, ND, Reed Erdman of Duluth, MN, Kyle Van Berkom of Minot, ND, Derek Erdman of Grand Rapids, MN, Luke Van Berkom of Jamestown, ND, Gabe Schumacher of Fargo, ND, Jack and Eric Van Berkom of Jamestown, ND, and Ava and Emily Muehler of Fargo, ND; first great-grandchild baby Braunagel due in May 2021; exchange student Jerry Kirch; nieces and nephews; many cousins and friends. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, John (J.H.) and Floy Van Berkom; sisters, Jeanine Germain of Sheridan, WY, Shirley (Bert) Sackman of Rapid City, SD, and Carol (Bob) Hammer of Sidney, MT; mother-in-law, Hazel Reed; all of his uncles and aunts; one nephew; and many cousins.

Memorials preferred to The God’s Child Project, The American Legion, Hospice of the Red River Valley or a cause near to your heart.