Galen Andersen

Galen Ewoldt Andersen, 74, Bismarck, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020 at 1:10 PM.

He was born in Caldwell, ID in September 18, 1945.

Galen graduated from Bismarck High School in 1963 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia in 1967.  Afterwards, he entered the United States Army and was stationed in South Korea serving as an officer in the 51st Signal Battalion.

He married the love of his life, Cicilia Dina Andersen, in Bismarck on May 9, 1980 - this year they celebrated their 40th anniversary.  Two sons followed: George Pasumain was born October 4, 1982 and Geoffrey James on June 6, 1988, both at St. Alexius in Bismarck.

Galen was born in Caldwell, Idaho on September 18th, 1945.  He was raised on a farm one mile east of Caldwell, where he would explore with a .22, accompanied with his dogs and pet goat.  In 1954, he and his family moved to Beaverton, Oregon, again always exploring and catching mudbugs in the creek nearby.  In 1960, his mother, Phyllis, sister, Vicki, and himself moved to Stickney, South Dakota.  In 1961, they moved to Bismarck, North Dakota.  Again, exploring the area, especially by the tree that splits the road south of Bismarck.  He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1963, then entered Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.  He recalled that on move-in day, every dorm was blasting “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles.  He enjoyed ROTC, being Captain of the Rifle Club, Young Republican Club, and Varsity Club while attending college, as well as Pasta and Meatballs day at the cafeteria.  During the summers he would travel the USA with his college mates, then return to North Dakota working for his step-father, Irvin’s, oil drilling and exploration business.  In 1967, he graduated from W&L with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce, majoring in Business Administration and Accounting.

After college, Galen entered the United States Army.  After completing the Ordinance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland and graduating from the Supply Officer Management Course at Fort Lee, Virginia, he was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington as a Technical Supply Officer.  In October, 1968 he was ordered to South Korea and served in the 51st Signal Battalion as a Battalion Motor Maintenance Officer for the next 13 months at Camp Pililaau in Uijongbu.  He was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant soon after arrival.  He played an important role in community affairs and strengthening the relations between the Americans and Koreans.  He was proud that his Battalion Motor Pool, consisting of 30 Americans and 20 Koreans, passed the Command Management Inspection with the highest score ever given by the then current I Corps Area Inspector under his leadership.  He was Honorably Discharged in 1969 and spent the next month traveling South Korea and Japan before returning to North Dakota.

He immediately became associated with politics in North Dakota, and became heavily involved in his step-father’s run for the Republican Endorsement for the office of U.S. Senator.  He organized the Bismarck HQ Office and was all-around aide, advisor, and speech consultant to the candidate.  He travelled and gave speeches all over the state because he wanted to meet every single convention delegate, logging over 13,000 miles.  He was also a delegate to the Republican State Convention.  After the election, he moved to New York City and began employment at Texas Gulf Sulfur in the general accounting office in 1970.  After a couple years, he returned to North Dakota and was appointed President of the Nokota Company, overseeing oil exploration, oranges in Costa Rica, among other business interests - including championing the use of methanol in vehicles.

Galen was a member of the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council, and on one of these trips he met Cicilia Dina Pasumain at a party of the President of Indonesia’s residence in 1977.  He only wanted to talk to her that evening.  What really cemented their relationship was when while waiting at the Borobudur Hotel pool in Jakarta, a tree fell on him, luckily just enough to hit his nose.  When Dina called the hotel to talk to him, she heard about the incident and weeks of letters and visits ensued.  Dina had already planned to attend college in the US, eventually moving to North Dakota to be with Galen.

Initially they lived in an apartment but quickly bought a house that they shared together for 40 years.  Soon after the house, came George on October 4th, 1982.  The family traveled extensively around Europe and the US, sometimes accompanied by Phyllis, or Vicki, or Tom.  Then, on June 6th,1988, Geoffrey was born.  Again, travels ensued, bringing Geoffrey to all the places they visited before to catch him up.  Ever since Galen saw “Civilizations” by Kenneth Clark in 1967, he wanted to visit all the places in the series, and he made sure to do it with his family beside him.  In 1994, the family moved to Paris, France for over a year while Dina attended cooking school at the Ecole Ritz-Escoffier. 

After their time in Paris, the family moved back to North Dakota.  Dina became involved with the Symphony League, and later the Sleepy Hollow Society as a chef, while Galen made the menus, supplied the wine, and procured all the necessary ingredients.  Galen remained involved with the Sleepy Hollow Society until his passing.  In 2006, Galen started a uranium exploration company, Secure Energy.  He hired his sons, where they spent hours in court houses, farm/ranch houses, and small diners in Western North Dakota.  He always enjoyed his time with his sons, from grand cathedrals to musty courthouse rooms, it didn’t matter. 

Galen was forever a student of History, lover of travel, food, and wine and always had a lesson to share.  He had a streak of idealism, as well as optimism, and always wanted to make the world a better place before he left.  He always loved and protected his family. 

He was survived by his wife, Cicilia Andersen; two sons, George Andersen and Geoffrey Andersen; his mother, Phyllis Wilhite; sister, Vicki Wilhite;  brother, Tom Wilhite, and numerous family members in Indonesia. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph V. Andersen, his step-father, Irvin J. Wilhite, his step-brothers, Irvin Andreu Wilhite and Gordon Andersen, and his step-sister, Mary Jane Andersen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday, June 3, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND.

Burial will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, June 3 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.