Kvale graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1917 and served in the United States Army during the First World War as a sergeant in a machine gun corps, from September 7, 1917, to August 4, 1919.

After the war, he became a student at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis in 1919 and 1920, after which he returned to and engaged as editor of the Swift County News in 1920 and 1921.

From 1922 to 1929, Kvale served as secretary to his father, who was a member of the United States Congress.

After his father's death, he was elected as a Farmer-Labor candidate to the 71st congress to fill the vacancy.

Asked how to say his name, Kvale told The Literary Digest: "Pronounced qually, rhymes with golly.