Dudley Jay Homelvig was born January 3, 1956. He died suddenly of multi-system failure on June 22,2024.

Dudley was raised on the family farm just outside Amidon, ND.

During college in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dudley met Karla Fretheim and after 5 yrs of thinking about it, he married her, making her his partner for life. In 1984 the pair moved to Nome, Alaska, where they became an integral part of the community. Soon their household grew, welcoming son Tyler and daughter Staci into the family. After several decades in Alaska, Dudley and Karla returned to their earlier roots, settling near Ross, North Dakota.

Dudley was a gentle giant, with a love for family, reading, hunting and sports. Those combined interests resulted in Dudley becoming a beloved husband and father, high school English teacher, winning wrestling coach, advocate for youth, and avid outdoorsman.

Whether teaching, coaching or delivering life lessons, he presented ideas in a thoughtful, soft-spoken manner. A twinkle in his eye or the “teacher stare” was often enough to convey a world of meaning to anyone he advised. As wrestling coach at Nome-Beltz HS, Dudley turned raw, talented kids into statewide competitors, and was honored to be inducted in the Alaska Wrestling and National Wresting Hall of Fame.

Dudley enjoyed his big boy toys. His “green machine” (a one-ton truck) was as well known in Nome, as was his tractor in North Dakota. These and other “toys” were integral to his lifestyle. Snow machines or ATVs often carried Dudley and his hunting companions across broad subarctic stretches to harvest caribou, moose, bear, or musk oxen. With his tractor, Dudley moved earth and planted trees, creating gardens and wind breaks across the North Dakota prairie.

Resourceful, reliable, and attentive, Dudley was the quintessential partner whether playing cards, tracking wild game, tending daily chores, or participating in search and rescue missions with the Civil Air Patrol. His good nature and calm demeanor will be dearly missed.

Dudley is survived by his wife, Karla in Ross, ND; son, Tyler in Fairbanks, Alaska; daughter, Staci and grandpup, Molly in Ross, ND; brothers, Perry (Mary Ann) in Pavillion, WY, Boyd (Deborah) in Chugiak, Alaska and sister, Julie in Ross, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Homelvig and Marie Homelvig.

Memorial Contribution