Obituary: Dale Settelmeyer

Dale Settelmeyer

New Rockford, N.D.

Dale "Duff" Settelmeyer, aged 81, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. He was a husband, father, grandpa and all around grumpy old man. Duff lived in New Rockford for most of his 81 years.

Duff's visitation will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 6-7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford. His Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford with his burial to follow at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, New Rockford. Fr. Reese Weber and Bart Salazar will officiate the service and special music will be played by Heather Klocke. Honorary bearers will be all of Duff's family and friends.

He was born on October 22, 1942 to George and Margaret (Hitz) Settelmeyer, Dale was the first of four children. He worked hard even as a child, milking cows and helping around the farm. He spent time working in the chicken coop which resulted in a life-long disgust with poultry of all kinds. Duff went to "country school," New Rockford Central, and graduated from St. James Academy. He married Sharon Lindstrom with whom he had two children, Anthony (Tony) Dale, and Timothy George. Later, he attended the University of North Dakota and worked at Shakey's Pizza in Grand Forks, where he met Bonnie Rynestad. They married and had two children, Nikki and Jake. Duff married Sandy Nygaard in 1990 and was married to her for the rest of his life.

Duff and Sandy enjoyed riding horses and visiting with family at the farm. They were members of the Circle Trail Riders and went on the last ride over Father's Day weekend.

In 2014, Grayson "Gracie" Sykora came into the Settelmeyers life as an infant and became a granddaughter to Duff and Sandy. She brought much joy to them in the later years. Gracie and her dad, Paul Sykora, grew to be family to Sandy and Duff and spent lots of time with the Settelmeyers on the farm.

Duff spent the majority of his life on the Settelmeyer family farm, a place that held deep meaning for him. He was raised with a strong work ethic and kept busy tending to the farm even after the livestock was gone. After he retired, he enjoyed working on various projects, pushing snow, taking care of the horses, and mowing the lawn.

Duffy loved westerns, his wife Sandy, his children and grandchildren, animals of all kinds, and more than anything, he loved smoking. Duffy was always going to make his own pine box but his cousin Rodney made it.

Duff is survived by wife, Sandy; children, Tony (Anca) Settelmeyer, Nikki Settelmeyer, and Jake Settelmeyer; grandchildren, Faith Settelmeyer, Stephanie Settelmeyer, Otto Settelmeyer and Grayson Sykora; siblings, Marilyn Jacobs and Susan (Jerry) Ryden.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret; brother, John "Jake" Settelmeyer; a son, Timothy Settelmeyer, and many friends and relatives.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.