Fulkerson - Stevenson Funeral Home It Is Our Privilege And Purpose To Serve You Springan - Stevenson Funeral Home
Fulkerson - Stevenson Funeral Home
Springan - Stevenson Funeral Home
It Is Our Privilege And Purpose To Serve You
Dorvan Solberg
May 20, 1934 - January 21, 2024

Residence: Fargo, ND formerly of Ray, ND

*PLEASE CLICK THE BLUE LINK TO THE LEFT TO WATCH DORVAN'S FUNERAL SERVICE.


Dorvan Solberg passed away peacefully January 21, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born to Iver and Jennie (Foss) Solberg on May 20, 1934 in Williston, North Dakota, and baptized at Temple Lutheran Church, Temple, ND.

Dorvan attended school in Ray, playing trumpet in the band and graduated from Ray High School in 1952. He completed a mechanics program at North Dakota State School of Science. As a teenager, his dad thought he spent too much time at the pool hall and suggested he purchase some cattle. Dorvan raised black angus cattle for many years and in later years, backgrounded yearling cattle, which was a business venture he continued into his eighties. He worked with his dad in their certified seed potato business. Dorvan held numerous jobs, including deputy officer for the Ray Police Department, oil field roughneck, brand inspector, and substitute rural mail carrier.

Dorvan married Eileen Anderson on June 17, 1956 and they raised small grains and ranched outside of Ray, while raising their four daughters. They enjoyed dancing and playing cards, especially pinochle and cribbage. They also enjoyed ski trips to Montana with Bob, Val, Steve, Diane, and friends.

Dorvan had a lifelong passion for horses. He raised Quarter Horses, and trained and showed horses in numerous events including halter, performance, and cow cutting, an event he competed in until the age of 86. For over 35 years, Dorvan was a judge for the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, and American Paint Horse Association. Dorvan judged numerous horse shows in the US, Canada, and Europe. In 2014 he was inducted into the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. In 2020 he was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Following retirement from farming, Dorvan and Eileen spent winters in Arizona, where he continued to ride and show cutting horses. Dorvan and Eileen moved to Touchmark Living Center in Fargo, ND in October 2022.

Dorvan served as chairman of the board of directors for Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative for over 30 years and served in the North Dakota House of Representatives for ten years. He was a member of Ray Lutheran Church, Ray Senior Citizens, and Williams County Farmers Union.

Dorvan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eileen; daughters, Vonnie (Royce) Elker, Mankato, MN; Val (Bob) Bahm, Minot, ND; Diane (Steve) Edwardson, West Fargo, ND; and Gail (Mike) Nelson, Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, Danielle (Ben) Johnson, Eric (Sarah) Elker, and Beret (Kenneth) Holaday; Tyler (Lisa) Bahm, and Zachary (Ashley) Bahm; Olivia Edwardson and Megan (Eric) Johnson; and Alex Nelson and Stephanie Nelson; great-grandchildren, Harper, Kendri, and Rhett Bahm, Conway and Cohen Bahm; sisters-in-law, Barbara (Dan) Delaney and Joyce Perez; and brother-in-law, Dave (Bev) Anderson.

Dorvan was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marilyn.

Memorial Contribution
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, Temple Cemetery (Temple, ND), or a charity of the donor's choice.

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Teri Black (Minot, ND)
Jan 22, 2024
Vonnie, I am so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Teri
C'Dale (Jenner McBride) Jore (Williston, North Dakota)
Jan 23, 2024
Dorvan was a kind & wonderful person, square dance friend & fellow horse lover. Back in 1982 Dorvan & Eileen took us under their wings to make sure Tom & I felt welcome and comfortable at our first dances after many weeks of lessons. We made a trip to AZ just to see Dorvan do some cutting only a few years ago. He was an inspiration! May Jesus give you lasting memories! With our sympathy, C'Dale & Phil
Daryle Holte (Tioga, Nd)
Jan 24, 2024
Eileen
My sympathy to you in the loss of Dorvan, he was a good friend and neighbor. I will miss seeing him, he was a legend in the Ray community and horse world. I remember when I sold him his ticket to fly to Berlin Germany to judge horse shows there. Rest In Peace My Friend
Daryle and Opal Holte
Gary and Nancy Manuel (Jersey Village, Texas)
Jan 25, 2024
What a cute picture and a great hat! We are Dorvan's daughter, Diane's Aunt Nancy and Uncle Gary from Houston Texas. And although not well-acquainted, we kept apprised of all of his dedication to his family, his community, his horses, and his political involvement to do the right thing for his constituents. Family will certainly miss him, as he was loved by everyone.
Bruce Anderson (Williston, ND)
Jan 27, 2024
Dorvan is an inspiration to all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Cheryl and Bill Simpson (Ray, ND)
Jan 29, 2024
Eileen and girls, there are no words, we are heartbroken for your loss and ours of a dear friend. We could write a book on the great times we had with you and Dorvan. Pray he’s got a ton of horses to go cutting on. RIP Dorvan, we’ll see you again.
The Grudts (Kennewick, Washington)
Jan 29, 2024
Eileen and family we have many fond memories of our time together in Ray and Az. Our prayers are with all of you.
Mark & Kathy Potter (DIXON, MO)
Feb 3, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Dorvan was definitely one of the good guys. So glad we got to visit with him on our last trip to Ray, he will be missed!
Gary Skogen
May 12, 2024
What can one say about losing a friend? I have memories and smile every time I think of one. Till we meet again Dorv I am going to sip an Old Fashion and smile.
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