Morris Glen Brynjolfson

1938 - 2025

Morris Glen Brynjolfson

January 17, 1938 - November 10, 2025

Morris Glen Brynjolfson passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on November 10, 2025.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:30 PM, Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck. Visitation will be held Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Bismarck Funeral Home at 6:00 PM, with a Vigil service and a traditional wake to celebrate Morris's life starting at 7:00 PM.

Morris's story began on January 17, 1938, in Willow City, ND. He was born to the fiery Irish mother, Susie Plante, and the stoically disciplined Icelandic father, Glenn Brynjolfson. It was the merging of these two heritages that would characterize Morris' approach in life and solidified his pride in his Irish and Icelandic roots.

He was the only son born into a family of girls, whose nickname was "Boy" growing up, chasing after them as they ran the streets of Willow City, a stone's throw away from Notre Dame of Victory Catholic Church. This began his lifelong devotion to his faith and anything Notre Dame.

Morris graduated from Notre Dame Academy, a Catholic boarding school in Willow City. Excelling in the classroom, Morris also exhibited great prowess on the basketball court, securing several scoring records for the Blue Knights.

After high school, Morris attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, graduating in 1960 with a degree in History. This is where his true love for the Fighting Irish fostered and grew, and he became the first of three generations in his family to attend.

In his years following college, Morris served in the United States Army with the official designation of sharpshooter. After active duty, he continued to serve in the Army Reserves where he received an honorable discharge. Upon returning to North Dakota, he met his partner for life, Dinah Mitzel, at a social gathering for young Democrats in Bismarck. They married at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on August 1, 1964, and recently celebrated over 60 years of marriage.

During their early years in Bismarck, they welcomed their children Susie, Dan, John, and Patsy, and focused their time and energy on raising their family. They believed in a strong academic foundation and did their best to instill in their children the importance of education.

After several years serving in various roles in North Dakota State government, his entrepreneurial spirit and independent streak led him to create his own business, servicing oil industry companies in western ND. For over 30 years, Morris engaged in various sales enterprises that focused on oil and gas production and safety equipment.

Morris was known to be a true foodie, who loved to scope out the best restaurants in whatever town he, Dinah, and the kids were visiting. One of his greatest pleasures was a good meal, whether it was his homemade turkey stuffing at Thanksgiving, his jumbo garlic shrimp cocktail at Christmas, or his infamous prime rib.

The Brynolfson household served as the central gathering point for members of Morris' extended family, coming in from Williston and MN. For several years, the summer social event for them was a weekend hosting during the annual KFYR golf classic, of which several family members played. These get-togethers created lifelong bonds and memories for all the aunts, uncles, and cousins that attended.

Morris loved politics and was an avid reader and watcher of the news. For many years he worked events and elections for District 47 with his cronies, and enjoyed watching the results on election night, good or bad. He counted many friends from both sides of the aisle.

In later years, he and Dinah volunteered their time and service as Eucharistic Ministers and Mass readers for the residents of St. Vincent's Care Center. Morris's job every Sunday morning was to transport the priests from Emmaus Place to St. Vincent's for the Sunday mass. Their time and commitment to St. Vincent's, which began when Dinah's mother Agatha Mitzel was a resident there, was passed down to their kids and grandkids who often helped at Mass with them.

Morris passionately followed the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and passed that enthusiasm down to his kids and grandkids. Many a Saturday was spent watching his beloved team with his family by his side. One of Morris' last acts on earth was watching Notre Dame football steamroll over the Navy football team in a blistering 49-10 victory. The only thing he loved more than Notre Dame was his family.

He cherished watching his kids at St. Mary's Central High School, and then his grandkids, in whatever sporting, academic, or musical endeavor they pursued. His greatest legacy is his grandchildren, who gave him immense pride in their successes and accomplishments: Elizabeth in Chicago, Il, Sean in San Jose, CA, Katie at NDSU, Ryan at Cornell University, and Bryn at St. Mary's Academy.

Morris is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Dinah; his heavenly daughter, Susie Brynjolfson-Meide; sons: Dan Brynjolfson, Bismarck, John (Cheri) Brynjolfson, Bismarck; and daughter, Patsy (Matt) Peyerl, Bismarck; son-in-law, Joe Meide, Mandan. Also surviving their Papa are his grandkids: Elizabeth Peyerl, Sean Brynolfson, Katie Peyerl, Ryan Brynjolfson, and Bryn Peyerl; sisters-in-law: Patricia Faurie, Bernardine (Fred) Jordan, and Mary Mitzel; the Lynch and Strandemo clans, along with the Mitzel nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Susie Brynolfson-Meide (Senora B); granddaughter, Ellie Marie Brynjolfson; sisters and brothers-law: Carroll and Dan Lynch, Glenna and Vernon Strandemo, and Ann Brynjolfson; brothers-in-law, Daniel Mitzel and Daniel Faurie; mother and father-in-law, Daniel and Agatha Mitzel; and his faithful sidekick, Finnegan.

"Take care of our Susie, and she will take care of our Pops."

"Our Lady, Queen of Victory, Pray for us."

Please go to www.bismarckfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook and share memories with his family.