Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Dale “Duff” Settelmeyer
Dale “Duff” Settelmeyer, aged 81, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. He was a husband, father, grandpa, and all around grumpy old man. Duff lived in New Rockford for most of his 81 years.
Born October 22, 1942 to George and Margaret (Hitz) Settelmeyer, Dale was the first of four children. He worked hard even as a child, milking cows and helping around the farm. He spent time working in the chicken coop which resulted in a life-long disgust with poultry of all kinds. Duff went to “country school”, New Rockford Central, and graduated from St. James Academy. He married Sharon Lindstrom with whom he had two children, Anthony (Tony) Dale, and Timothy George. Later, he attended the University of North Dakota and worked at Shakey’s Pizza in Grand Forks, where he met Bonnie Rynestad. They married and had two children, Nikki and Jake. Duff married Sandy Nygaard in 1990 and was married to her for the rest of his life.
Duff and Sandy enjoyed riding horses and visiting with family at the farm. They were members of the Circle Trail Riders and went on the last ride over Father’s Day weekend.
In 2014, Grayson “Gracie” Sykora came into the Settelmeyer’s life as an infant and became a granddaughter to Duff and Sandy. She brought much joy to them in the later years. Gracie and her dad, Paul Sykora, grew to be family to Sandy and Duff and spent lots of time with the Settelmeyer’s on the farm.
Duff spent the majority of his life on the Settelmeyer family farm, a place that held deep meaning for him. He was raised with a strong work ethic and kept busy tending to the farm even after the livestock was gone. After he retired, he enjoyed working on various projects, pushing snow, taking care of the horses, and mowing the lawn.
Duffy loved westerns, his wife Sandy, his children and grandchildren, animals of all kinds, and more than anything, he loved smoking. Duffy was always going to make his own pine box but his cousin Rodney made it.
Duff is survived by wife, Sandy; children, Tony (Anca) Settelmeyer, Nikki Settelmeyer, Jake Settelmeyer, and grandchildren, Faith Settelmeyer, Stephanie Settelmeyer, Otto Settelmeyer and Grayson Sykora; siblings, Marilyn Jacobs and Susan (Jerry) Ryden.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret; brother, John “Jake” Settelmeyer; a son, Timothy Settelmeyer, and many friends and relatives.
Duff’s Visitation will be Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 6:00PM-7:00PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00PM all at St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:30AM at St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford.
His Burial will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, New Rockford.
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sorry to hear about duff
Prayers and (HUGGS) are being sent to you Sandy and friends and family.
I still remember when he would deliver fuel out to the farm. May you Rest in Peace.
Kathy Whetham Lesmeister
We will miss Duff. We would chase around the country and raise a little hell. Went to High School together. We were tough on teachers and girls. We have been friends forever.
So sorry Sandy
Friends and neighbors with Duff for many years, always enjoyed conversations we had… Settelmeyer family Duff will be in my prayers… RIP Big Guy
Sandy and family, we were very sorry to hear about Duffy passing away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Duffy and I were close friends during our high school years ending with the St. James Academy class of 1960. We had great times together and got into more mischief and trouble than we should have. Our friendship didn’t end with graduation because we renewed that friendship whenever I visited my relatives and friends in New Rockford, my hometown.
My prayers are with Sandy and family as they heal from the loss of Duffy and remember the good times they had with Duffy. They begin a new life they did not choose, but they will have their Duffy memories and love to make their burden lighter.
A hug and a prayer. Peace
Sandy and family, we were very sorry to hear about Duff passing away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I have always admired Duffy as a friendly sort of person. My favorite memory was a
High School class visit to his farm with the buffalo & ostriches.
He was always in good humor and good company in Hansons Bar occasionally!
I could say that Duffy was a great man and lived a good life.
My sincere condolences to Sandy and family for the love he shared with all of us!
ADIOS Duff, enjoyed our conversations, save a spot up there for me!
Duff, Nolan Lies and Charlie Allmaras were my same age first cousins. It was always great fun when my family visited any of their family farms. I remember once Duff encouraged me to drive an old car (first time behind the wheel, way under-age) South in the west ditch of Hiway 81. Mostly I remember how he would just laugh at the ‘city’ cousins reactions to farm animals and especially our reactions to farm smells. He kept in touch with my brother Michael and so once in a while I did hear news from New Rockford. My condolences to Marilyn, Susan and Duff’s family.
Sandy and Family, I am so sorry. My prayer for comfort and peace are with you.
Sandy, Tony, Nikki, Jake, Marilyn, Susan, and family’s
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Sandy
So sorry to hear about Duff’s passing, may your memories bring comfort to you and yours.
I remembered the time T.H. and I “borrowed” his pickup. It was just parked in front of the station and we were almost out of gas. We flew to Carrington and back, for nothing! We wiped our fingerprints from inside – wiped it so clean I don’t think even Duff had a fingerprint inside. New Rockford’s finest “warned” us what could happen and if it ever happened again – it never did. The next time I saw Duff, he came walking in the New Rockford Cafe for lunch, he saw me and IMMEDIATELY grabbed for his pocket, my guess, confirming he had pickup keys. AFTER the fear subsided, I thought I would die laughing.
I am so sorry for your loss – My thoughts and prayers are with the family