Oran Underdahl

Oran Underdahl, age 83, of Fosston, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 26th, at his home with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3rd, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Mark Olson officiating. Interment will be in Little Norway Cemetery, Fertile, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the National Guard Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Oran Gerald Underdahl was born at home on March 28, 1941, near Fertile, Minnesota, to parents Art and Alvina Olson Underdahl.  He had an older sister, Anna.  He was baptized at Little Norway Lutheran Church of rural Fertile before moving with his family to the farm south of Fosston in 1943.  He attended Willow Grove Country School through 8th grade before earning his diploma from Fosston High School in 1958.  He was confirmed in his faith at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston.  As a boy, he enjoyed drawing pictures of bucking broncos and rodeos he imagined, participating in all kinds of 4-H activities, riding horse, trapping around the lake, and singing baritone in the school choir.

After high school, he dairy and grain farmed with his father and grandfather briefly before enlisting in the Army and serving at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico until 1965.  After discharge, Oran returned home to Fosston where he resumed farming alongside his father, purchasing the operation from his parents in 1977 and continuing until 1997.  

Oran was united in marriage to Geri Mahto on November 22, 1980, at First Baptist Church in Clearbrook, Minnesota.  After their marriage, he lived with Geri and her two children, Kris and Robin, on the farm and they welcomed their daughter, Sarah, in 1981.  Together, Oran and Geri enjoyed participating in church functions, growing a garden, serving on the Rosebud Township Board, visiting and playing games with friends, and watching the kids in all their school activities.  Geri passed away in 2003.  

After farming, Oran drove a medical transportation van for several years, which allowed him to get to know many new people in various towns in the area.  He was known for his personable, patient, and gentle care of the people he transported.  It was through this work that he was fortunate to meet Bonnie Cudmore, a nurse in Bagley.  Bonnie and Oran were married at Faith Lutheran Church in Bagley, Minnesota on September 30, 2005.  Oran then moved into town where they lived until his passing. 

Together, Bonnie and Oran enjoyed traveling and spending time with Bonnie’s three children, Kristin, Scott, and Michelle and their families.  They took up bowling and would often take day trips around the area where they would visit quilt shops (for Bonnie) and find cafes to eat at (for Oran). Along the route, Oran would check out and comment on how crops were growing.  He was forever a farmer.  Later in life, Oran drove school bus for the Fosston School District.  Oran enjoyed his grandchildren, Ben and Heidi, and was always, always there to help Sarah and Tom with anything they needed.  

Oran loved northwestern Minnesota, Coca-Cola and donuts, being a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa, hearing jokes, Sarah’s lap dog, Max, and his generational farm he was extremely proud to pass on.  Most of all, though, Oran loved people and being of quiet service to others.  Alzheimer’s somehow could not alter these special things about him.  He will be deeply missed.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri Underdahl, his parents, Art and Alvina Underdahl, his sister, Anna, as well as several beloved members of his extended family.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Underdahl; daughter, Sarah (Tom) Steinbrenner, grandchildren, Ben and Heidi; stepchildren Kris (Ana) Culton, Rob (Jessica) Mahto, Kristin (Kirk) Willberg, Scott Cudmore, and Michelle Cudmore, several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; and a few dear cousins.