In Memory of Kermit Folden

Kermit P. Folden, age 80, of Cambridge died November 28, 2020 at home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 2nd at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Dalbo. Masks and social distancing are required.

Kermit Paul Folden was born August 15, 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Norman and Agnes (Falle) Folden. He grew up in New Brighton and graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1958. On June 16, 1962 Kermit married Madelaine Torgeson in New Brighton. In August of 1963 they moved to Dalbo where they made their home for 54 years. In 2017 they moved to Riverwood Village in Cambridge. Kermit was a construction painter and member of Painters & Allied Trades Union #386. Kermit and Madelaine traveled extensively, visiting 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Europe on two occasions. Besides traveling, Kermit enjoyed camping and reading.

Kermit passed away November 28, 2020 at home at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 13 days. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Darlene Erckenbrack.

Kermit will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Madelaine; four children, Timothy (Sian) Folden of Minot, ND, David (Rachel) Folden, living abroad, Lisa (Greg) Ryan of Great Falls, MT, and Steffanie Aubuchon of Chesapeake, VA; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and by other relatives and friends.

Steven C Miller says

November 30, 2020 at 9:35 pm

Kermit vs. the speed trap.
It was summer time early ’60s, Mandy and Kerm hadn’t been dating very long. The local authorities had set up a speed trap on Co. Rd E to slow down traffic while the road was being resurfaced. Kerm discovered the trap on his way home from school/work (if I remember correctly) and decided to warn the public by painting a sign and posting it somewhere near Lewi Klugman’s place. In the beginning the trap was catching plenty of lead foots cruising that road, but once Kerm posted his hand painted sign the yield was in a sharp decline. Daily Kerm would hang his warning sign and take it down at night. The authorities finally caught on and laid in wait for that rebel rouser. They nabbed Kerm red handed, with the goods you might say, warning sign in hand. For a week Kerm had became a legend to his peers along that stretch of road. He was issued a ticket for a crime I don’t recall, but it didn’t matter, it was the end of the week and the road project was complete.
Kerm in my eyes earned his right to date my aunt Mandy, he was cool, and he had guts to try and out wit the local cops.

Kermit the player.
During his courtship with Mandy, Kerm was a local softball star. I was lucky enough to see him play a number of times. From a 10 year old’s perspective he could play any position and play it well, but most of my observations he mostly played the catchers position. I watched in awe as Kerm quickly scaled the backstops in pursuit of foul balls. It was a given, if Kerm was chasing down a foul hit, the batter wasn’t going to get on base.
Kerm taught us kids a lot about playing ball, and how real players relieved the pain from a stray ball impacting you body, he introduced me to the phase: “rub some dirt on it and it will be ok in a minute or two.” He was right, well most of the time. I have to admit the dirt thing didn’t work so well when my cousin Mary was playing catcher and she caught the back swing of my bat right in the face. What a bloody mess. I don’t know if she ever forgave me for that accident, that’s another story.

In my book, you were a good and decent man. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who had the honor of crossing paths with you. God bless you Kermit.

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Steven C Miller says

November 30, 2020 at 9:35 pm

Kermit vs. the speed trap.
It was summer time early ’60s, Mandy and Kerm hadn’t been dating very long. The local authorities had set up a speed trap on Co. Rd E to slow down traffic while the road was being resurfaced. Kerm discovered the trap on his way home from school/work (if I remember correctly) and decided to warn the public by painting a sign and posting it somewhere near Lewi Klugman’s place. In the beginning the trap was catching plenty of lead foots cruising that road, but once Kerm posted his hand painted sign the yield was in a sharp decline. Daily Kerm would hang his warning sign and take it down at night. The authorities finally caught on and laid in wait for that rebel rouser. They nabbed Kerm red handed, with the goods you might say, warning sign in hand. For a week Kerm had became a legend to his peers along that stretch of road. He was issued a ticket for a crime I don’t recall, but it didn’t matter, it was the end of the week and the road project was complete.
Kerm in my eyes earned his right to date my aunt Mandy, he was cool, and he had guts to try and out wit the local cops.

Kermit the player.
During his courtship with Mandy, Kerm was a local softball star. I was lucky enough to see him play a number of times. From a 10 year old’s perspective he could play any position and play it well, but most of my observations he mostly played the catchers position. I watched in awe as Kerm quickly scaled the backstops in pursuit of foul balls. It was a given, if Kerm was chasing down a foul hit, the batter wasn’t going to get on base.
Kerm taught us kids a lot about playing ball, and how real players relieved the pain from a stray ball impacting you body, he introduced me to the phase: “rub some dirt on it and it will be ok in a minute or two.” He was right, well most of the time. I have to admit the dirt thing didn’t work so well when my cousin Mary was playing catcher and she caught the back swing of my bat right in the face. What a bloody mess. I don’t know if she ever forgave me for that accident, that’s another story.

In my book, you were a good and decent man. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who had the honor of crossing paths with you. God bless you Kermit.