Neil D. Kiemele

Neil David Kiemele, aged 18, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021. Though he will no longer be here to hug tightly, his light will forever shine down on those he loved.
Neil came into the world March 26, 2003, on a blustery North Dakota spring morning. From the moment Neil was born, his inner joy gleamed so brightly, and as he grew older that very spark inspired each person he encountered. From his contagious smile and his signature “Big Dawg” moves to those high fives that challenged all he greeted to reach for the sky, he will forever leave an impression on our hearts.
School was Neil’s happy place. It was here he thrived alongside his classmates and peers, nurtured by his earthly angels Vik, Cori, Robyn, and Nancy. It was here he took flight and soared as an eagle. It was here that not a moment was ever taken for granted or wasted.
Neil loved to be on the move. He looked forward to his daily trips to Bjornsons with his dad to get chocolate milk and M&Ms. With his mom, he spent numerous miles simply driving around the block, jamming out to his favorite rap music. If Neil was not out and about cruising with those he loved, he was likely to be found walking with his dog or riding his horse alongside his sister Shelby. It was his love for animals that led him to become an active member in the Northern Explorers 4H club. If there is one life rule Neil imparts, it is to go forward as a perpetual beacon of light, living life to the fullest and making each moment count...even if it might be in one’s own sweet time.
He always loved dressing up at Halloween and liked to scare his mom. Neil had an everyday routine to uncover the birds, get ready for school, feed the horses and watch TV before Vik would come to pick him up for school. He loved everything and everybody no matter what their age or gender.
He is survived by his parents, Harlan and Etty Kiemele, Cavalier, ND, sister, Shelby (Jesse) Bjornstad, Walhalla, ND, uncles and aunts: Rodney Kiemele, Arthur and Mary Rosenberg, Rick and DeeDee Helgoe, Dara and Nick Jezierny, Heather Knutson, great-grandmother, Inga McDonald, cousins: Rachel Berger, Travis George, Michael Kiemele, Alexis Rosenberg, Kristina (Mark) Halvorson, Sophie (Derrick) Herman, Sarah (Justin) Price, and the three Helgoe girls he adored: Tiffany (Chase) Furstenau, Vanessa (Chris) Lawonn and Ronica Helgoe. Also his cat, Squeaky and horse, Romey.

Preceding him in death were his grandparents: Herman and Helen Kiemele, Max and Sarah Rosenberg, and Jackie Eider, aunt, Patty Kiemele, and uncle, Loren Kiemele.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Walhalla School Gymnasium, in Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND.