Therm Kaldahl

A time for fellowship and sharing of memories of Therm Kaldahl will be from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck, ND. You are invited to be with the family at this time for fellowship and refreshments. Therm C. Kaldahl of Bismarck, ND was born November 6, 1942, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Samuel and Helena Kaldahl. Raised in Eugene, Oregon, from the age of four, he considers that home away from home. Therm graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, in 1964 and applied for and was accepted into the Peace Corps Group IV heading for Turkey. During his two year assignment, he met and fell in love with his future wife of 40 years, Peggy. Upon return from Turkey in 1967, he married his beloved and was drafted as an officer in the US Air Force. The Air Force gave him the opportunity to select three assignments - he was assured that he would get one of them. He had chosen Greece, Spain and Westhampton Beach, NY. Then his assignment came through - Fortuna, ND. He thought, for sure, the Air Force had made a mistake. But that move changed Therm and Peg's history - except for a stint in DC with then Congressman Link, North Dakota became their home and the treasured place where they set roots, raised their beloved children, and became vital members of the community. He explored his love for politics and public service. After DC, he joined Governor Link's staff as management director of the Highway Department and then as Director of Job Service North Dakota. In 1983, he and Peggy became partners in Continental Funding, Inc., a financial services firm. He sold the company in 1989 and remained in the financial services field until 2004 when he retired. A dear friend observed some big things and little things about Therm. Some of the little things are: He didn't like to give advice. He liked raising money. He liked teaching his grandchildren about the "evil" labor practices of certain corporations. He liked reading the NY Times and could never understand why Bismarck didn't rate the "home delivery" option. He loved early morning "quiet time" with his cup of coffee warming his hands. He loved the prairie grasses. He liked questioning convention. He liked asking questions, thoughtful questions, difficult questions. His goal was to get people to know who they were and why they believed what they did. As to the big things, they were: his incredible love for, and commitment to, Peggy and each of his children and grandchildren, a love that nourished and sustained him every day of his life. We all know of his generosity, his loyalty, his warmth, his intelligence, his social conscience, his faith, and his dedication to the work he did for so many years with such skill and integrity. He loved life - and didn't take it for granted. Therm died on November 6, the day of his 65th birthday. His life is celebrated by those surviving him which includes his beautiful wife of 40 years Peggy. His sons are Kaj Eowyn of Eugene, OR, Hans Kristin of Grand Rapids, MN, and Dain of Eugene, OR. His daughters are Petrea Doug Klein and Vanesa Chad Boyko Kaldahl all of Bismarck. He has eight grandchildren that adore him: Soren and Ari Kaldahl; Anika & Jens Kaldahl; Karsten and Annelise Klein; Karter Berry and Phaedra Kaldahl. His mother Helena Kaldahl and brother Roger Hillary Kaldahl live in Eugene, OR. He was preceeded in death by his father Samuel Kaldahl and his faithful dog Kara. We want to thank Therm's competent medical staff and the caring hospice personnel for their treatment and support. It is Therm's request that memorials be made to Friends National Committee on Legislation, American Friends Service or Gandhi Peace Network of North Dakota.

Therm Kaldahl

November 6, 1942 - November 6, 2007