1920
Lyle
2013
Lyle Alvstad
December 26, 1920 — May 14, 2013
Lyle S. Alvstad, 92, formerly of Ashby MN, passed away May 14th, 2013 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls under the care of staff and Lakeland Hospice.
Lyle became a resident of the Veterans Home in July 2004, and will be remembered for his sociability and eagerness to entertain with his harmonica and song.
Lyle Sigwald Alvstad was born Dec. 26, 1920 on the family farm, Pelican Lake Township, Ashby MN, son of Erick & Mina (Rustad) Alvstad. He was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake (now Peace) Lutheran Church in Ashby.
Lyle attended District #9 school, and as a youth enjoyed exploring the area, pheasant hunting and trapping. Because of his father's health, he needed to assume much of the farm work at an early age. Before the war, Lyle went to work in St. Paul at Cudahy Packing Plant and later at Northrup King Seed Co.
On Oct. 15 1942, Lyle enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. in St. Paul along with his friend Robert Borgen from Erdahl. They did basic training together in California before being separated. Lyle served in World War II in the South Pacific, Guam, New Guinea, Woodlark, New Britton and Australia. He earned the Sharpshooter's medal, Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific and the WWII Victory Medals. Lyle was discharged Jan. 1, 1946 at the Great Lakes training center near Milwaukee WI.
Lyle began his career in stucco and plastering work with his uncle David Balgaard in Alexandria in 1947. He also purchased his grandparents farm outside Ashby which is now owned by a third generation - son Steve Alvstad.
On June 11, 1950, Lyle married Vernie Mae Nordquist at Eksjo Lutheran Church near Lake Park MN. They are the parents of 5 children: Susan, Steven, Sandra, Nancy and David. The family resided in Moorhead MN until 1968. During those years, Lyle built his business - Alvstad Lath & Plastering Company - doing work all over the tri-state region and employing up to 30 workers. Back in Grant County in 1970, Lyle ran for 2nd district County Commissioner and held that position 24 years.
Lyle is a life member of VFW Post 612 of Fergus Falls, American Legion Post 357 of Ashby and the Grant Co. Historical Society.
Lyle was an avid reader and a highly regarded historian of Grant County. Lyle and Vernie enjoyed road trips seeing much of the country and visiting relatives in Norway. Wherever they went, Lyle was always on the lookout for historical markers, unusual rocks and Indian artifacts. One of Lyle's big accomplishments was creating the Lady of the Hill statue that remains near Inspiration Peak.
Lyle is survived by his wife Vernie; sons - Steve, Ashby, and David, Springfield MO; daughters - Susan (Chris) Risbrudt, Brandon, MN, Sandra (Ron Garcia), Tacoma WA, and Nancy, Evansville; 5 granddaughters: Christine (Ron) Redon & Jill Risbrudt, all of Alexandria VA, Regina (Lukas) Brott, Farmington MN, Kacie Holcomb (fiancé Ryan Schulz), Fargo, and Danielle Holcomb, Powers Lake ND; great-grandchildren Evan & Daniel Redon and Johanna & Weston Brott. Lyle is survived by brother Marcus (Ardis), Elbow Lake; sisters Mae Wick, Elbow Lake, and Edna Strom, Evansville; sister's in law Evelyn Sutton, Maple Grove, and Amelia Alvstad, Hoffman; and many cousins, nieces & nephews.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, brother Carl, sisters Grace Waugh, Ellen Friske, and Lillian Swendsen; brother's in law Albert Wick, Harvey Waugh, Maurice Strom, Harold Friske, Baldwin Svendsen, and Jim Sutton.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Fergus Falls Veterans home. The compassionate care and service that was given to Lyle and continues to be given all veterans is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten by our family. The family requests memorials to the MN Veterans home or Lakeland Hospice. Thank you so very much, Vernie, Sue, Steve, Sandy, Nancy & David.
Funeral Services: 1:30 PM Friday, May 17, 2013 at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby, Minnesota
Visitation: 5-7 PM Thursday with a prayer service at 7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby - and one hour prior to the service at church
Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson
Military Rites: Pederson-Tripp American Legion Post 357, Ashby, Minnesota
Cemetery: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Lyle became a resident of the Veterans Home in July 2004, and will be remembered for his sociability and eagerness to entertain with his harmonica and song.
Lyle Sigwald Alvstad was born Dec. 26, 1920 on the family farm, Pelican Lake Township, Ashby MN, son of Erick & Mina (Rustad) Alvstad. He was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake (now Peace) Lutheran Church in Ashby.
Lyle attended District #9 school, and as a youth enjoyed exploring the area, pheasant hunting and trapping. Because of his father's health, he needed to assume much of the farm work at an early age. Before the war, Lyle went to work in St. Paul at Cudahy Packing Plant and later at Northrup King Seed Co.
On Oct. 15 1942, Lyle enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. in St. Paul along with his friend Robert Borgen from Erdahl. They did basic training together in California before being separated. Lyle served in World War II in the South Pacific, Guam, New Guinea, Woodlark, New Britton and Australia. He earned the Sharpshooter's medal, Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific and the WWII Victory Medals. Lyle was discharged Jan. 1, 1946 at the Great Lakes training center near Milwaukee WI.
Lyle began his career in stucco and plastering work with his uncle David Balgaard in Alexandria in 1947. He also purchased his grandparents farm outside Ashby which is now owned by a third generation - son Steve Alvstad.
On June 11, 1950, Lyle married Vernie Mae Nordquist at Eksjo Lutheran Church near Lake Park MN. They are the parents of 5 children: Susan, Steven, Sandra, Nancy and David. The family resided in Moorhead MN until 1968. During those years, Lyle built his business - Alvstad Lath & Plastering Company - doing work all over the tri-state region and employing up to 30 workers. Back in Grant County in 1970, Lyle ran for 2nd district County Commissioner and held that position 24 years.
Lyle is a life member of VFW Post 612 of Fergus Falls, American Legion Post 357 of Ashby and the Grant Co. Historical Society.
Lyle was an avid reader and a highly regarded historian of Grant County. Lyle and Vernie enjoyed road trips seeing much of the country and visiting relatives in Norway. Wherever they went, Lyle was always on the lookout for historical markers, unusual rocks and Indian artifacts. One of Lyle's big accomplishments was creating the Lady of the Hill statue that remains near Inspiration Peak.
Lyle is survived by his wife Vernie; sons - Steve, Ashby, and David, Springfield MO; daughters - Susan (Chris) Risbrudt, Brandon, MN, Sandra (Ron Garcia), Tacoma WA, and Nancy, Evansville; 5 granddaughters: Christine (Ron) Redon & Jill Risbrudt, all of Alexandria VA, Regina (Lukas) Brott, Farmington MN, Kacie Holcomb (fiancé Ryan Schulz), Fargo, and Danielle Holcomb, Powers Lake ND; great-grandchildren Evan & Daniel Redon and Johanna & Weston Brott. Lyle is survived by brother Marcus (Ardis), Elbow Lake; sisters Mae Wick, Elbow Lake, and Edna Strom, Evansville; sister's in law Evelyn Sutton, Maple Grove, and Amelia Alvstad, Hoffman; and many cousins, nieces & nephews.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, brother Carl, sisters Grace Waugh, Ellen Friske, and Lillian Swendsen; brother's in law Albert Wick, Harvey Waugh, Maurice Strom, Harold Friske, Baldwin Svendsen, and Jim Sutton.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Fergus Falls Veterans home. The compassionate care and service that was given to Lyle and continues to be given all veterans is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten by our family. The family requests memorials to the MN Veterans home or Lakeland Hospice. Thank you so very much, Vernie, Sue, Steve, Sandy, Nancy & David.
Funeral Services: 1:30 PM Friday, May 17, 2013 at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby, Minnesota
Visitation: 5-7 PM Thursday with a prayer service at 7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby - and one hour prior to the service at church
Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson
Military Rites: Pederson-Tripp American Legion Post 357, Ashby, Minnesota
Cemetery: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Ashby
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Lyle Sigwald Alvstad
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