James Dalager, 91 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2020 with his loving family at his side at the Thief River Care Center.

A family memorial service will be held July 31, 2020.

James Russell Dalager was born August 23, 1928, in River Falls Township, Pennington County, MN, the son of Karl T. and Ida (Franze) Dalager.  He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith by Reverend M. Dahle in St. Hilaire, MN.  He grew up and attended St. Hilaire School and then attended and graduated Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, MN in 1946.  James graduated Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1950.  He received Master's Degrees in physics and math from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and Brown University at Providence, RI.  In 1951, he entered the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Lee, VA.  He was honorably discharged in 1953.

On June 7, 1958, James was united in marriage to Phyllis Sletten at Winthrop, MN.  He was a teacher of math and science at Perham, MN; Augustana Academy, Canton, SD; Camrose Lutheran College, Camrose, Alberta, Canada; and Northland Community College, Thief River Falls, MN from 1965 until he retired in 1992.  He spent 1992-93 in Bratislava, Slovakia teaching math in English.

James was a community volunteer.  He was active in Zion Lutheran Church and choir, the Cancer Society, the Pennington County Historical Society, the local DFL, the Northland Retired Educators Investment Club, and tutored math at Cornerstone Academy.  He farmed part-time beginning in 1965.  He enjoyed family history, square dancing, stamp collecting, church work,  and traveling.

Survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Phyllis, Thief River Falls, MN and sister, Shirley Westacott, Minneapolis, MN.  Five children - Karl (Holly), Austin MN; Ruth Ann (Jon Buuck), Burnsville, MN; Steven (Sherry), Duluth, MN; David (Vicki), Warroad, MN; and Nathan (Darcie), St. Hilaire, MN.  Eleven grandchildren - Anna (Erich), Jacob (Hannah), Micah (Cecilia), Kylie (Oscar), Maritha, Abby (Ben), Maia, Marryn, Annika, Alec and Lila.  Four great-grandchildren - Ari, Soren, Halia and Kaya; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by parents, Karl and Ida; sisters, Kathryn and Adelaide; brothers, Horace (Gladys)  and Vincent (Joyce); and brother-in-law, Bob Westacott.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com .  In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please send memorials to a charity of your choice or:

The Jim and Phyllis Dalager Endowment Scholarship

c/o Northland Community & Technical College Foundation

1101 Highway One East

Thief River Falls, MN 56701