Monte Lyn Somdahl

Monte Lyn Somdahl, 47, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, February 20, 2023.  Our beloved Monte was born on September 26^th, 1975, to Theodore and Ramona (Valdez) Somdahl in Miles City Montana. Monte was baptized in Montana with Godparents Erna and Jake Schwartz and confirmed at Callaway Lutheran Church.   

Monte was raised in Montana, until his parents moved back to the Somdahl farm by Richwood, Minnesota.  He was blessed to be raised around his grandparents Roy and Alice Somdahl and was especially close to his grandma Alice.  Monte helped his dad raise sheep (many of the neighborhood friends and cousins will remember the ornery sheep bucks.)  Many fun memories were made with aunts, uncles and cousins visiting the farm.

Monte graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1994.  During high school Monte worked for Bergen’s and after high school he moved to Coeur d’Alene Idaho and did landscaping. When Monte moved back home, he started working for Audubon (Team) Engineering in the 1990’s up until his passing.  Monte was able to travel for work and enjoyed seeing different places. He brought back the knowledge and used his natural teaching gifts to be a resource for others.  He was close to his coworkers at Team.

Monte purchased a home by Detroit Lakes 20 years ago where he made even more friends among his neighbors. He built a fine backyard deck onto his home where he loved to relax and watch the deer or sit and visit with people who stopped by.  Monte had a meticulousness he inherited from his grandpa Valdez. He maintained a beautiful garden and flower beds, growing a variety of things he could share with his mom.

Monte will be remembered for his gifts of kindness and friendship. He loved to visit and have a good laugh. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football games and having a cold one with his friends.  He loved the outdoors, being out in the woods, fishing, camping or any kind of trips with friends. He traveled nationally and internationally to Australia, Hawaii, New York, and points in between, but most of all he loved going back home to Montana to see his brothers and large extended family.  He was a very kind-hearted person who was loved by many and will be missed immensely.

Monte is survived by his parents: Ted and Ramona Somdahl of Richwood, MN; siblings: Randy (Brenda) Wegner of Hardin MT, Mark (Julie) Wegner of Billings MT, Keith Wegner of Hardin MT, Greg (Tonia) Wegner of Hardin MT, Jay (Jeri Lynn) Somdahl of Ogema MN, maternal aunts: Ruth Cabrera of Grand View, WA, Lupe Watson of Billings, MT, Anita (Leo) Harmon of Hardin, MT, Jessie Ressler of Rock Springs, WY, and Connie Valdez of Billings, MT; paternal aunts and uncles: Barbara and Myles Flint of Resston, VA and Boyd Sharp of Osage; and many nieces and nephews. 

Monte is proceeded in death by his grandparents: Roy and Priscilla Valdez, Roy and Alice Somdahl; aunts and uncles: Roy and Harriett Somdahl, Margaret (Richard) Curtis, Ruby Sharp, Marie (Charles) Ornelas, Roy (Beverly) Valdez, Pete Valdez, and Eladio Valdez.