TOLLEY – Michael Darrell Triplett, 68, Tolley, died Saturday, December 24, 2022, at a Minot hospital.
He was born to Darrell and LaVerne (Irgens) Triplett on July 17, 1954, in Kenmare.  He was the eldest of five children.  He spent all his childhood years living in the rural Tolley area.  Mike always loved to hunt and fish and even had a trap line as a kid.  He attended Tolley School from first through twelfth grade and graduated from high school there in 1972, in a class of eight students.
Mike played basketball through his school years and was proud to be a Tolley Tiger.  He worked on the family farm with his dad and brothers.  He also worked for his uncle, Martin Irgens, and Gerhard Pagel farming.  After meeting future wife, Pamela Lee, he spent some time working for future father-in-law, Art Lee, doing plumbing and excavating work.  He went on to North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and completed one semester of schooling, after which he returned home to farm along with his father, Darrell, and brother, Craig.
Mike married Pamela Lee in November of 1974, at Carpio Lutheran Church.  After marriage, the couple moved onto the Elliot farm homestead in Ivanhoe Township.  From this union, three children were born, Shannon, Valerie, and Eric.  During this time, Mike continued farming with his dad and brother, Craig, while also working second jobs at KBM Well Service ('76-'79), and Farmers Elevator Company of Greene ('80-'97).  Mike and Pamela were later divorced.
In December of 1996, Mike married Jennifer Yale.  From this union, three children were born, Elliot, Devin, and Carson.  Mike and Jennifer resided in Ivanhoe Township until 2003 when he quit farming and went to work as a farm laborer until his retirement in 2019.  At this time, they moved to Tolley.
Mike was a long-time member of the Jaycees in Tolley.  He played on the Tolley softball team for many years and was a talented pitcher for the team.  He was a member of the Tolley school board for several years and served as president, just as his dad did.  He also was a part of the Renville Bottineau Agricultural Improvement Association (RBAIA).  Mike was on a bowling league for several years in Mohall, and greatly enjoyed being part of league pool, where he was able to compete against his father who was one of the best pool players in the league.  Mike also enjoyed lots of furbearer hunting using traps and rifles.  He did a lot of beaver hunting on the river with his uncle, Jake Allen.  He always loved hunting and fishing.  He spent a lot of time doing those things with his uncle, Martin Irgens, his brothers, and his children.  Mike was notorious for being the best shot with a rifle.  He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends (especially Pinochle with his favorite partner, Jen).  He also loved Ford pickups, NASCAR, country music, Three Dog Night, all his dogs, horses, rodeo, and the outdoors in general.
Mike was a strong family man, who loved and cared for his children, grandchildren and his loving wife, Jen, who was ever-present by his side until the end.  He was always independent, strong, and had a very good work ethic.  Mike was very mechanical and could fix most anything, much like his dad.  Mike was often stubborn, had a gruff exterior, but had a heart of gold and was willing to help anyone regardless of the circumstances.  Mike cherished his many friendships through the years.
Family: Loving wife of 26 years, Jennifer Triplett, Tolley; children, Shannon (Darcy), Valerie, all of Bismarck, Eric, Williston, Devin and Carson, both of Stanley; grandchildren, Emily, Brady, Ashlyn, Tristan, Alex, Javen, and Kendra; great-grandchild; Quentin; siblings, Connie (Gerald), Timothy (Kari), Craig (Buzz), Kelly (Kim); uncle, Martin (Evelyn) Irgens; aunts, Frances and Shirley; father-in-law, Roger Yale; sisters-in-law, Tamara, Melanie (Jim); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael was preceded in death by: his parents, Darrell and LaVerne Triplett; son, Elliot Triplett; granddaughter, Samantha; mother-in-law, Marjorie Yale; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Informal Memorial Service: beginning at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Tolley Fire and Rescue Building, Tolley.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.
(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)