Darleen Solberg

Minot

Darleen Solberg, 82, Minot, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at a Minot assisted living facility. Darleen Solberg was born on August 21, 1942, to parents Chornel and Borghild (Stenseth) Hansen in Minot. She was raised and educated in Minot, graduating from Minot High School in 1960.

Following graduation, Darleen worked various bookkeeping jobs until marrying the love of her life, Lyle Solberg, in April of 1961. She then transitioned to a lifelong career on the family farm, assisting Lyle in its operation and raising their children.

Darleen was known to help with chores and anything else that was needed. She took great pride in making meals for everyone who worked on the farm and many hired hands were more interested in her food than their wages. Darleen was not afraid to cook for a crowd and would often have large family gatherings.

Darleen never met a project that she wouldn’t tackle. When she wasn’t busy on the farm, she could be found refinished furniture, doing landscaping projects in her enormous yard, woodworking, and crocheting…. the list is endless. There was never a question of why, only why not give it a try? She had a lovely stash of power tools and equipment and would get salty if her things found their way out to the shop.

When her children were in school, she was an active member of the Surrey Sports Boosters and would travel through all kinds of weather to get to their games or events. This trend continued as her grandchildren began playing and she was there to watch them too. Darleen could have gotten a time-share at the ball diamond.

She was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church in Surrey and would volunteer often. Darleen was a part of the church quilting group and would bring home quilts to tie or find fabric that could be used as backing. She was very aware of how difficult life could be sometimes and would send encouraging cards and letters to those she knew that were struggling.

Darleen was always sharing little treats to brighten someone’s day. If getting deals and going to garage sales were an Olympic sport, she would have medaled for sure. There were military excursions that were less detailed and planned out than her address list on sale day.

Her most favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Darleen was the queen of “Got you last” and there has been an ongoing game of tag that has lasted about 20 or 30 years spanning several generations.

Darleen will be remembered most as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was driven, hardworking, independent, and a force of nature. Darleen touched so many lives and will be missed by all that were blessed to know her.

Darleen’s loving family includes: her husband of 63 years, Lyle Solberg; children, Ron (Tammy) Solberg, Rich (Eileen) Solberg, and Rachelle (Ted) Fimreite; grandchildren, Joseph (Amanda) Solberg, Amanda (Zach) Keller, Kyle Solberg, Kory (Mikayla) Solberg, Wyatt Fimreite and Lillian Fimreite; great-grandchildren, Finn, Alice, Raegan, Arthur, Quill and Olive; sister, Delia (Tom) MacClennan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darleen was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Dorie Buechler, and brother-in-law Cal Buechler.

In remembrance of Darleen’s life, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church (PO Box 326, Surrey, ND. 58768) or Trinity Cemetery Association (Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Association to Sarah Hicks, 935 11th Ave. SE, Minot, ND. 58701).

A Celebration of Darleen’s life will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. in Hope Lutheran Church, Surrey. A recording of the service will be available for viewing on the Thomas Family Funeral Home website on Wednesday.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Rural Minot.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 28, 2025.