Marino Steinolfson, 86, of Mountain and Dickinson, died Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at his home in Dickinson. Marino’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m. CT, Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Vikur Lutheran Church, Mountain, with Rev. Darrel Cory officiating. Interment will follow at the Mountain Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday at Vikur Lutheran Church, Mountain, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. There will be a prayer service at 8 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Rev. Lisa Lewton officiating, and at 7 p.m., Friday at Vikur Lutheran Church, with Rev. Beth Peterson officiating.
Marino Steinolfson was born November 20, 1925 at Mountain, the son of Thorlakur and Lovisa (Sigurdson) Steinolfson. He was raised and educated in rural Mountain while helping on the family farm. At a very young age he took over the family farm and also purchased his own farm.
He married Lois Sigurdson on December 3, 1945 in Mountain. Together they raised a family and shared a life of 47 years. They equally operated the farming operation growing grain crops and raising cattle until her death on February 26, 1993. Marino then retired from running his own farm, but continued to help others farm and drive tractors that spanned over a 60 year period.
Marino gained a second family when he married a long time friend, Doris (Goodman) Reopelle on July 23, 1994 in Mountain. Together they shared a life of 17 years here in Dickinson and Mountain, going between the two communities as they wished.
He was a past member of the Borg Pioneer Home Board, the cemetery board and a member of the ICA. One of Marino’s special qualities was his willingness to help others in need.
Marino is survived by his wife, Doris; his five children, Margaret (Stephen) Dahl, Hatton, Marilyn (Irv) Troftgruben, Grand Forks, Cheryl McEwen, Cary, N.C., Marino Gene (Janet Burcham) Steinolfson, Medical Lake, Wash., and Thomas (Lisa) Steinolfson, Steele; step-daughter, Helen (Gene) Gudmundson, Mountain; step-daughter-in-law, Tanna Reopelle, Dickinson; 15 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents; infant daughter, Adeline; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sigurdur (Kristbjorg), Steingrimur, and Magnus (Adeline); and one sister, Kristine Ferrell.
Arrangements are with Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, www.ladburyfuneralservice.com and Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, www.askewfh.com
