Juel Berdahl

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Juel Bennett Berdahl of Colton, South Dakota, then Brookings, died peacefully at age 90 among family on Thursday, November 22, 2012, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, November 26, at First Lutheran Church in Colton, with burial at St. Ansgar Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Sunday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton.

Juel was born on June 7, 1922, to Hilmer and Nellie (Dybvig) Berdahl. He graduated from Colton High School and attended State College at Brookings. He was a farmer throughout the years. He served in the Navy from 1944-1946, working as an electrician on the U.S.S. Abatan in the Pacific.

Juel married Virginia Kneip on September 16, 1950. Together they were foster parents to 114 children through Lutheran Social Services. In addition to farming, Juel worked as a rural mail carrier and Post Office clerk.

Juel was an active lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Colton, from his early years in Bible camps and Luther League to his singing for 50 years in the church choir.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, now in Brookings; children: Priscilla (David) Strom of Brookings, Becky Berdahl of Minneapolis, Dan (Karen) Berdahl of Sioux Falls, Tim (Laura) Berdahl of Duluth, MN, Mark (Laura) Berdahl of Northfield, MN, and Phil (Julie) Berdahl of Forest, VA. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Edgar Berdahl.