Calvin Solem ,91,of Williston, formerly of Corinth, ND, passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center, Williston, North Dakota. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family.

Calvin Jerome Solem was born May 14, 1925 to Carl Theodore and Thilda Amelia (Osmundson) Solem in Wildrose, North Dakota. Calvin was raised by his father and grandmother, Julia Solem after his mother died in childbirth when he was four years old. He attended school in Corinth through 8th grade. Calvin was baptized and confirmed at the Corinth Lutheran Church. Calvin was very adventurous and hitchhiked to Seattle to visit his aunt and uncle for a few weeks when he was sixteen years old. He worked for a railroad in South Dakota, returned to Seattle when he was 17 to work in the shipyards, and later worked for Porter Brothers in Minot before returning back to the farm.
On December 8, 1948 Calvin married the love of his life, Betty Jane Myhre in Minot, ND. They lived in California for a short time until moving to the farm at Corinth and starting a family. Calvin’s father lived with them until passing away in 1970. Calvin harvested his last crop when he was 75 years old; he and Betty then moved to Williston to be closer to his kids and grandkids. In 2012, they moved to The Briarwood. Calvin was a member of the Corinth Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran in Wildrose, attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Williston; the Farmers Union; a Lifetime Moose member and was the Assessor of Big Stone Township for many years.
Calvin was dedicated to his family and spent many hours traveling to many activities to support his children and grandchildren. He especially loved their sporting events.
His hobbies included woodworking, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, watching the Minnesota Twins, listening and singing to music and shopping at WalMart with Calie and Menards with Jill on Saturday mornings. He was very tech savvy – he loved using his computer, the iPhone and watching Netflix. He also became a pretty good cook after Betty passed and you could count on soup on Wednesdays and even lutefisk once in awhile. His favorite things to do were telling stories about the past and making visits to the farm.
Calvin is survived by sons: Jay (Jan), Williston; Todd (Pam), Corinth; George (Betty’s brother’s son who they adopted and raised), Butte, MT. Daughters: Caren Barnett (Larry), Minot; Calie Meyer (Champ), Williston; Tilli Miller (Jeff), Fargo; and Jill Haagenson (Lloyd), Williston. Grandchildren: Reiss Barnett (Keylee), Jory Meyer (Melissa), Amber Kramer (Kevin), Jon Solem (Sydney), Josh Solem (Kayla), Jayci Solem, Mellisa Haugen, Jenna Haugen (Michael Clark), Clay Solem, Cole Solem, Molly Haagenson, Noah Haagenson, Brandon Solem (Tia), Levi Solem, and Dillon Solem. Great-Grandchildren: Savannah, Keller, and Elliot Hertz Barnett; Jaxon and Shelby Meyer; Breklynn and Khloe Solem; Halli Clark; Vaida and Eyla Solem. Brothers-in-law: Keith Thomte and Darrell Pigue; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother and infant sister, his wife, and grandson, Eric Barnett.

Memorial Contribution