Alden Flakoll

Due to the forecast of extremely heavy snow and bad weather, services have been postponed to 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes, ND. Visitation will be Monday, April 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at Carlsen Funeral Home & Crematory, Aberdeen, SD. 

Alden James Flakoll, 90, of Forbes, ND, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sunday, March 17, 2024. His life was embraced with the love of family and friends and the assurance of his new heavenly existence.

Visitation will take place in Aberdeen, SD, at Carlsen Funeral Home (1708 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen) on Monday, April 1, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service.

A Funeral Service for Alden will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes, ND. Preceding the funeral, visitation will start at 9:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment will follow at the Aurdal Cemetery in rural Forbes, ND.

Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.aberdeenfuneralhome.com.

Alden James Flakoll was born March 11, 1934 at the home/farm of his grandparents Andrew and Martha (Lillyord) Flakoll by Forbes, ND. He is the oldest of three sons of Tony and Minnie Flakoll. For his first six years of life, he and his parents lived with his grandparents on their homestead farm. In the fall of 1940, Alden and his parents moved to the farm they built across the road to the north of his grandparents.

Alden attended a one room school house and later attended and graduated from Forbes High School in 1952. After high school he attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He was proud to have been in the concert choir’s 1st Christmas concert production at the newly constructed Concordia Memorial Auditorium (1952). He later transferred to North Dakota State University and in 1956 obtained his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Engineering

Alden married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Jean Wolff, on June 27, 1954. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary last summer. They adored each other beyond measure. Their love was genuine and evident to all who shared time with them. They had something special and worked hard to keep it growing in love.  After Alden’s graduation from NDSU, Alden and Wilma returned to the family farm in July 1956 and begin a life-long endeavor of farming, ranching, raising children and being engaged in their community and church.

Three children were born to their marriage and given unconditional love and support beyond measure; Paul (Candace), Tim, and Joan (Carl). They made their home on their farm/ranch in McPherson County, SD near Forbes, ND. Alden always told people that his “best crop” was his kids and he sincerely meant that. Paul, Tim and Joan all felt fortunate to have grown up being part of such an amazing family environment. Alden and Wilma gave their children two great gifts – their faith in Jesus and the love they shared for each other. A love that grew stronger year after year.  He had smiling eyes and Wilma and his kids brought out the best smiles of all.

Alden was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes, ND for all of his adult life. He was a 4-H leader for 20 years and Director of FEM Electric for nearly 40 years. Additionally, he was President of the Whitestone Hill Battlefield Historical Society and director of the national Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) for six years. He also enjoyed time on the board of the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC). Alden held offices in the township, school board and livestock associations. He loved those years of board service, not just for the work, but for the many people that he met that became life-long friends.

Alden’s quiet strength, integrity, humility and honest way of living were just a few of the sterling qualities that made him a wonderful husband, father, family patriarch and friend. Alden was a family man of conviction, dignity, common sense, fairness, politeness, respect and always a gentleman with strong loyalty and morals. He was fair, steady and always saw the best in people.  Son Tim said that, “In all my years with Dad, I have never heard him speak ill of other people.” He was a genuine and loyal friend to many and those relationships mattered to him.

Alden loved music, singing, eating cookies, his community and country, reading, talking about agriculture, field and pasture tours, creativity, technology, participating in barbershop and attending the annual Concordia Christmas concerts in Moorhead, MN. If you were lucky, he may sing with or for you.  He was a great hugger and loved to hold hands with his wife Wilma.

Alden had a strong faith and felt that one should plan, but not worry too much about the future because God will be there to guide that future.

Alden loved spending time with family and friends, singing, reading and hearing God’s word.  He loved the beauty of the prairies, grain crops, planting and growing tree shelters, the rolling farmland of the great plains and the Flakoll Fen where the family picnic area is located. He was selected as the 1969 Outstanding Young Farmer from South Dakota.

Living a Christ-centered life was important to Alden and he always hoped that other people in his life were welcoming to Christ too. His faith showed, not just with the various church activities, but the way he lived his life as well. Alden is now reunited with his beloved Wilma, son Paul and his ancestors in the presence of his Lord and that gives us great comfort.

Alden was preceded to heaven by his beloved wife Wilma J. Flakoll, son Paul J. Flakoll, parents Anton and Minnie Flakoll, In-laws George A. and Lydia Wolff, and his sister-in-law Linda Flakoll. He was also preceded by all of Wilma’s siblings Herbert Wolff, Lenora Chappelear, Edna Nadeau, Florence Skutevik and Elmer Wolff as well as Eldora and James Leroy who died in infancy.

Alden is survived by son Tim of Fargo, ND, and daughter Joan (Carl) Eliason of Grand Island, NE; daughter-in-law Candace Flakoll (wife of Paul) of Ames, IA; grandchildren Michael (Audrey), Andrew, Isaac Eliason (Sarah) and Lydia Berry (Matt); great-grandchildren: Brayden, Elaina, Connor, Carley, Kaitlyn, and Grady; brother David Flakoll (Marsha) and brother Tom Flakoll, sister-in-law Renee Wolff (wife of Elmer); and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

His calm, dignified and Christ-centered life guided and inspired us for countless years and gives us the courage and confidence to face the future. We have received love, faith and mentorship from his life and that love and living service now grows in all of us.

Sympathy cards or letters can be sent to: The Family of Alden Flakoll, 1350 2nd Street North, Fargo, ND 58102. Emails can be sent to Tim.Flakoll@gmail.com and/or JoanFlakoll@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the Fargo Hospice House that is being built, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Ministries, Homeward Animal Shelter of Fargo, or the organization of your choice.

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