Boulger Funeral Home

CDT by Paul Jurgens Mike Trom (KFGO file photo) MOORHEAD, MN (KFGO) - His enthusiasm for the Minnesota Vikings never wavered.For the past 30 years, "Mike the Viking Fan" or "Fanatic" had called radio talk shows on KFGO and WCCO where he called The Sports Huddle so often that the Minneapolis station sometimes blocked his calls.Mike Trom of Moorhead has lost his battle with brain cancer.  He passed away Monday.Last April, long-time Vikings equipment manager Dennis Ryan called Trom after hearing of his illness. Ryan sent Trom official team clothing and a helmet and offered comfort and peace in a handwritten letter.Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo is in charge of funeral arrangements. ...

Ihry had been hospitalized  for about three weeks with “what was ultimately diagnosed as a rare autoimmune disease that attacked his lungs,” according to Farm Service Agency communications, where he’d spent much of his career.At age 55, Ihry had retired in October 2015 from a lengthy career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and immediately took his job with the state corn groups.A native of Hope, N.D., Ihry grew up in a large family, many of whom are farming or in the insurance businesses. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1983. He was a county executive director the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He was county executive director in Ward County before joining the state staff in 1987. In 1994, the ASCS agency merged with other USDA agencies to become the FSA.“Dale worked tirelessly for agriculture throughout his career. Dale’s contributions to our organizations, our community, and our industry are indispensable. He will be greatly missed,” said Terry Wehlander, ND Corn Utilization Council Chairman.Kevin Skunes, an Arthur, N.D., farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, said Ihry was a “great guy who worked hard for North Dakota corn and FSA all his life. He’s sure going to be missed.”Randy Melvin of Buffalo, N.D., president of the North Dakota Corn Growers, said the state has “lost a leader who worked tirelessly for the farmers of North Dakota for many, many years” and said it was an “absolute pleasure” working with Ihry. Melvin said Ihry was a mentor, and the two worked on a National Corn Growers Association Risk Management Action Team, which Melvin chairs. Melvin said in many meetings in Washington, D.C., Ihry often personally knew officials in the highest levels.‘Farmer’s lens’Robert Christman, now is chief of staff of for the ...