On May 25, 1940, Galen was born to Justin and Olga (Reindahl) Dahlen in Thief River Falls. He was baptized on July 14, 1940, and confirmed on June 20, 1954, at Clearwater Lutheran Church, Oklee. Galen attended school in Goodridge, graduating on May 28, 1958.
He entered the United States Army in January 1960 and was honorably discharged in March 1962.
On December 28, 1963, he was united in marriage to Jane Holte at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla. They lived in Thief River Falls and Goodridge.
Over the years, Galen worked at several jobs: Northern Chevrolet, UPS, owned Goodridge Gas Station and Repair Shop, farming for 15 years in Goodridge, and as a USPS Rural Mail Carrier, which he retired from in 2005. Following his retirement years, he and Jane were snowbirds, traveling back and forth to AZ and MN. Galen and Jane enjoyed riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles, snowmobiling, fishing, and camping. Handyman projects fixing just about anything, tinkering in the shop, and traveling in their RV, were all things Galen loved doing. Above all things, Galen loved being with family and friends.
Galen was a member of the Goodridge Trailblazers, Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club, American Legion, and Goodridge Flying Club, where he enjoyed flying with Lowell Swanson, Jimmy Holte, John Wilson, and Donnie Wilkens. Galen attended 19 years of Sturgis Rallies in South Dakota with his wife, Jane.
Galen is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane, Thief River Falls; daughters: Jacqueline (Chris) Jorde, Thief River Falls, Karla (Wayne) Byklum, Grygla; grandchildren: Tabitha (Nic) Miller, Chelsey (Bryan) Sorvig, Jace Jorde, Dacotah (Chelsea) Byklum, and Darien Byklum; great-grandchildren: Gage Miller, Raegan Miller, Jackson Sorvig, Ellie Sorvig, and Nash Byklum; siblings: Ronnie (Sandi) Dahlen, Lynnwood, WA and David (Carol) Dahlen, Forest Lake; several cousins, nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Olga Dahlen; brother, James Dahlen; grandparents, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church Goodridge.
Burial will follow lunch at St. Olaf Cemetery, Grygla.
Please join us for one last final motorcycle ride in honor of Galen from Faith Lutheran Church to the Grygla Cemetery. All bikers are welcome – weather permitting.
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Galen Dahlen, 84
