Earl Rydell

Earl Everett Rydell, 82, of Dent, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, surrounded by his family at the VA Nursing Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Rydell was born January 29, 1944, to Edwin Rydell and Phoebe Nordly in Breckenridge, Minnesota. He graduated from Fargo North High School and earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University in 1975.

He proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970, working as an aircraft instrument and radar navigation systems repairman. Following his Air Force service, he continued supporting the military as a naval ship weapons systems engineer with the U.S. Navy.

On December 19, 1970, Rydell married Penny Peterson in Fargo, North Dakota. Together they lived in North Dakota, Minnesota, California, and Iowa before settling at their lake home on Star Lake near Dent, where they spent the last 20 years.

Rydell worked as an electrical systems engineer for more than 30 years with the Navy, FMC, Rockwell Collins, and Phoenix International/John Deere. He contributed to several electronic patents during his career. After retiring, he served on the Board of Directors for Lake Region Electric Cooperative for 15 years.

He was an active member of the Perham Lions Club, serving as president for many years, and was a proud member of the Dent American Legion for 17 years, serving as finance officer. Rydell and his wife were longtime members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham.

Rydell is survived by his wife of 55 years, Penny; his children Nicole, Joe, and Heather Rydell; and his grandchildren Abbi Mack and Aiden Rydell. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Harold and Harvey.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, North Dakota, with a one-hour visitation beforehand. A graveside military honors ceremony will follow at 2 p.m. at Fargo National Cemetery in Harwood, North Dakota.