Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272093
Title: Chad B. Dahlen
Date: 11/3/1969-2/13/2026
Inscription/Marks: 11/3/1969
Summary: Dr. Chad Dahlen, 56, of Halliday, ND, passed away February 13, 2026, at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, Princeton, MN. Funeral services were held February 20, 2026, at the High Plains Community Center in Killdeer. Burial was at the Werner Cemetery.
Dr. Chad Beldon Dahlen, Holy Paint (Oowii xoobah), was born on November 3,1969, in Dickinson, ND, to Dennis and Roberta (Spotted Bear) Dahlen. He was raised in Werner, ND, a place he proudly called "God's Country." Growing up on the ranch with his younger sister, who always kept him on his toes, he learned early the value of hard work, family, and faith.
Chad attended elementary and high school in Halliday, where he graduated in 1988. During his high school years, he was president of FFA, earned all-state cross country, was all-district in basketball, and became a state qualifier and region champion in track. He was also a member of Letterwinners club, Pep Club president, yearbook staff, band, and even won Wendy's MVP. From an early age, he showed leadership, work ethic, and team spirit that would follow him throughout his life.
He continued his education and athletic career at Lake Region State College, where he played basketball. He later attended Minot State University, where he ran cross country and earned his bachelor of science degree in psychology and education in 1994. He went on to earn his master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Mary in 2006. Continuing his lifelong dedication to education, he earned his Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota in 2018.
Chad was known for his big heart and his dedication to serving others. He served as an EMR for the New Town Ambulance, always ready to help when his community needed him. He served in multiple roles within the New Town Public School District, including teacher, principal, athletic director, and head coach of the girls' basketball team from 1994 to 2005. He eventually returned to Halliday as superintendent of Twin Buttes elementary school. He never wanted to stop growing or learning, always striving to better himself and the communities he served.
He met his best friend and love of his life, Michelle, and they married on May 20, 2006. For 19 years they stood side by side, supporting one another and creating a strong and loving home. Through this union, they were blessed with four beautiful daughters: Rylee, Tyra, Kooper, and Baylee, and twin sons, Jekori and Nekori Dahlen, who were a huge source of pride and joy in his life. Chad was also a proud grandfather to his grandson, Dallas Yahola. He proudly carried the title of "king of stale dad Jokes" and was known for having the "best scary camping stories."
Chad loved rock 'n' roll, especially Prince. He attended countless concerts with Michelle over the years, and in true Chad fashion, he celebrated their 11th anniversary by arranging for Everclear to sing to them acoustically backstage. Summers were spent camping with the family, and the only time Michelle stepped away from cooking was when Chad took over the Coleman grill. During the summer, he also loved berry picking and making homemade jam and wine, which he proudly shared with family as gifts. He loved winter skiing, water skiing, playing Fortnite with his boys, hunting, traveling, and spending time on his ranch with his cattle. Chad was also a huge basketball fanatic. Morning, day, or night, he was either reading about basketball, playing, coaching, or officiating games. He was always looking for a challenge and never took the easy way out.
From 2018 to 2021, Chad returned to coaching after first working with his daughter Tyra and her friends in middle school. That opportunity led him to serve as the head girls basketball coach at Killdeer High School, where he had the honor of coaching both Tyra and his niece, Rowyn. During that time, he also helped coach traveling basketball teams for his boys from elementary through high school. In August 2022, he returned to the classroom as an English teacher for 8th and 9th grade in Killdeer, ND, and had additional other traveling basketball teams. No matter the season of life, he was always looking for athletes to mentor and coach.
Chad spent his later years ranching, in which he enjoyed his weekly Ranch Safety meetings held by Ranch Foreman Terry Bakken at Ma & Pa's kitchen table. He was also proud of being called on to help with the planning and concept development of the new Twin Buttes High School. Chad continued serving his community as a member of the Halliday ambulance board as vice president, a basketball referee for local high schools, substitute teacher, substitute bus driver, board member for the Dunn County Soil Conservation District for 11 years, and Vice-President to AIRO (All Indigenous Recruiting Organization). No matter how busy life became, he made the time to show up. He rarely missed an event, whether it was a birthday, concert, basketball game, track meet, graduation, or family trip. Chad often spoke about the importance of family and education. In his doctoral acknowledgements, he wrote that his children, wife, and family were the reason he pursued his dream, hoping they would see how education could help them achieve their independence. He believed a trail had been broken for them to continue, and that belief guided the way he lived, taught, coached, and loved. He loved his wife and children, and being present for his family was one of his greatest joys.
Chad is survived by his wife, Michelle Dahlen; parents, Dennis and Roberta (Spotted Bear) Dahlen; father-in-law, Alan Lee; children, Rylee, Tyra, Kooper, Baylee, Jekori, and Nekori Dahlen; son-in-law, Robert Sam; grandson, Dallas Yahola; sisters, Coven Dahlen, Darcy Blue Earth; brother, Ronald Blevins; brother-in-law, Bradley Lee, Glenn Murray, Ryan Perhus; nieces, Kimberlee Blevins, Jurnee Murray, Trae Murray, Donny Leigh Blevins, Emilee Taylor, Rowyn Murray-Gibbons, MaTaya Blevins, Berkley Lee, Harley Lee; nephews, Chad Blevins, Jayden Blevins, Donald (Lil Don) Blevins lll, Taiven Murray; aunties, Donna Cook, Marian Spotted Bear, Ivetta (David) (Spotted Bear) Holding Eagle, Helyn (Mark) (Spotted Bear) Zarfos, Karen Joseph, Donna Rouillard, Patti Jo (Todd) Hall, Julie Beston; uncles, Barry Benson, and Leland 'Sal' Beston. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Chad was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lorenzo "Larry" Spotted Bear, Olive "Ollie" Spotted Bear-Benson, and Albert and Irene (Cook) Dahlen; dad, Donald Blevins Sr.; mother-in-law, Deborah Lee; aunts, G. Janet Spotted Bear-Gunderson, Sandy "Spook" Spotted Bear, Alyce Spotted Bear, Karen Lynch, Rhonda Schettler, Dawne Voigt, Maureen Benz; uncles, Marty Benson, Kelly Spotted Bear; sister, Chelsey Dahlen; brothers, Delry Dahlen, and Donald Blevins Jr.
Red ID: FND_I_79587 Image ID: 555834 Image Notes: FND001 272093
