Carol Dahl, age 81, of Valley City, ND, died Thursday, February 27th at SMP Health-St. Raphael in Valley City. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 26th at 1:00 PM at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Inurnment will be in Woodbine Cemetery in the Spring. An online guestbook and livestream of Carol’s service will be available at www.lerudmathias.com.
Carol Jean Berg, the daughter of Albert “Slim” and Olga (Olufson) Berg, was born March 26, 1943 in Litchville, ND. At a young age, Carol and her family moved to Valley City where she grew up and attended school. Carol began her 35+ year bowling career at Valley Lanes in 1961. Carol took a job at the café inside Valley Lanes her senior year in High School, it was here that Carol learned to bowl under the instructions of Willie Bjornsrud and Lois Waters.
In 1963 Carol joined the Hill Top League at Erie Lanes (now known as Sky Lanes). During this season Carol was awarded High Game, High Series, High Average, along with being a member of the League Champion Team. Carol went to work at ERIE Lanes in the fall of 1965, and her love for the game grew. Working alongside Chuck (Frantz) manager and a great instructor. In 1965 Carol was chosen to serve on a committee to collaborate with the Men’s Association to organize a junior league, which on April 5, 1965, Valley City Junior Bowling Association received its first sanction from AJBC. Carol earned many High Average, High Game, High Series and Team Championship titles during her years in League play. She was the winner of numerous Season end “House Awards” for overall High Scores. Competing in the Valley City Women’ Association Tournaments, Carol not only placed but won many events throughout her career. A two-time winner of the Valley City 500 Club Scratch Tournament. A member of the Champ of Champions Team in 1973. Carol held the office of 1st Vice President in 1974-75.
In 1988 Carol was awarded her 25-year membership award from the VC Women’s Bowling Association. Carols personal High Scores include Game 279 (1984), Series 677 (1984) and Average 184 (1982). In 1973 Carol competed and won the most prestigious tournament held in North Dakota, the Queens Tournament. This tournament brought together the top women bowlers from across the state. A highly competitive handicap and scratch tournament. Where after an eight-game qualifier, the top 10 Scratch bowlers competed for 4 spots into a step ladder finish, the champion was crowned at the completion of the match.
The highlight of Carol’s bowling career came in 1998 when she was inducted into the North Dakota Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. Carol (Berg) Dahl was Inducted into the Valley City Women’s Hall of Fame on May 2, 2023. During this time, Carol worked at various jobs including Tony’s Café, Mac’s Café and Dolly’s Café. She later worked for Case Corp (formerly Vansco) in Valley City.
On June 3, 2000 Carol married Gary Dahl in Valley City. Gary died on October 24, 2007. Carol was a member of the Valley City Eagles Club and loved to spend time with her family and friends. She was a daily visitor to SMP Health-St. Raphael where she went to see her brother Darell Berg.
Carol is survived by Dave Hayen; three nieces, Pam (Mike) Nelson, Casselton, ND, Brenda (Jeff) Halverson, Denver, CO and Debbie (Ron) King, Valley City, ND; three nephews, Doug (Diane) Moderow, Fargo, ND, Darren Berg, Sioux Falls, SD and Mark Berg, Valley City, ND; her God Son, Cody (McKinzie) Sivertson, Langdon, ND; a sister-in-law, Judy Johnson-Berg, Valley City, ND; numerous cousins; three step-children, Tess (Scott) Salberg, Tower City, ND, Tina Wurzer, Valley City, ND and Tim Dahl, Cooperstown, ND; a special friend, Gena (Jeff) Ertelt, Valley City, ND.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gary, her brother Darell, her sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Duane Moderow and a niece Jenni Marquart.