Bryan Stordahl

Bryan Stordahl, age 34, of Dallas, TX, died peacefully at his family home in McIntosh on Saturday (September 21st) after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday (September 26th) at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh with the Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, McIntosh. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with an 8:00 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday (September 25th) and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday. All visitation will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home, serving McIntosh and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Bryan was born on September 30, 1978 in Thief River Falls to Jim and Roxanne (Dufault) Stordahl. From the time Bryan was young it was apparent he had passion for life. Bryan and his friends, with his brother Bryce in tow, would always get into mischief. When someone would ask Bryan if they should be doing something, he would say "yep" and continue on. This passion for life drove Bryan to live life fully and without regret. He was a man who lived to experience the world and what it had to offer; never letting his cancer or pain get in his way and always moving forward, toward his dreams.Bryan graduated from Win-E-Mac High School in 1997 and moved to Minneapolis where he realized his passion for helping people. He became a paramedic in 2002 and graduated from the Texas Firefighting Academy in 2004. He continued his education at Texas A&M and graduated in 2009. Bryan was proud of his education and was a steadfast Texas A&M "Aggie" fan, attending dozens of games and wearing his Alma Mater ring with pride.In 2008, Bryan was preparing for a marathon when he started experiencing debilitating headaches. After going to the doctor, he was diagnosed with Hemangiopercytoma. Throughout his 5 year battle with this rare cancer, his faith in God strengthened as he knew that he was in the Army of Christ. He never asked why, he did not get angry and he lived by his motto to "Never give up." Between treatments, surgeries and broken bones, he continued living life LARGE regardless of what it threw at him.Bryan inspired people wherever he went. He had countless friends and had an matchless talent for meeting people; he was constantly on the move. Whether he was golfing, playing hockey, working out, going to numerous Stars, Vikings, Aggie & Twins games, hanging out with his brother, Bryce or off-roading in his FJ and traveling, he always lived life to the fullest. When people would ask Bryan how he could cope with the pain and the treatments he would say, "I think about Jesus and what He endured on His way to the cross and I think, "this is not so bad."Bryan is survived by his loving parents, Jim & Roxanne Stordahl of McIntosh, MN, his brother Bryce Stordahl (Andrea Stordahl) of Hawley, MN; grandparents Lawrence & Madeline Dufault of Gentilly, MN, and his "second parents" Ann Stordahl (Kelly Austin) of Dallas, TX and Dave Stordahl (Wanda Stordahl) of McIntosh, MN. Bryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Orville and Marion Stordahl, step grandmother Maria Stordahl, sister Aaron, cousin Jenna Dufault and Aunt Karen Dufault.