Grand Forks, ND - Elton M. Rystad, 84, formerly of Oklee, died Monday, September 6, 1999 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 10 at Salem Lutheran Church near Oklee with Rev. Robert Paulson officiating. Marian Marquis was the organist, and Donna Sherman was the soloist. Casketbearers were David Rystad, Mitchell Rystad, Randy Ruppert, Richard Altendorf, John Davis and Ordean Rystad. Military honors were accorded by the Plummer American Legion Post. Burial was in the church cemetery with the Petterson Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
Elton Morris Rystad was born on February 7, 1915 in Garnes township of Red Lake county near Oklee, the son of Ole and Pauline (Vic) Rystad. He was raised near Oklee and attended Garnes rural school. Elton worked on the home farm until 1939 when he moved to Montana and worked as a ranch hand.
On April 29, 1941 he entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Elton received two bronze stars during his service to his country and was honorably discharged on September 8, 1945 at Camp McCoy, WI.
On May 12, 1946 he was united in marriage to Ruby Slettvedt at Red Lake Falls. The couple lived and farmed in Oklee for two years and then moved to Grand Forks, ND where Elton worked for Flaat Farms from 1949 until his retirement in 1988.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and working.
Elton is survived by his wife, Ruby Rystad of Grand Forks, ND; two daughters, LaVonne (Don) Brown of Oklee and Barbara (Gary) Weberg of Wylie, TX; two sons, Jim (Donna) Rystad of Red Lake Falls and Roy (Carolyn) Rystad of Oklee; eight grandchildren; one brother, Vernon Rystad of Red Lake Falls; one sister, Myrtle Stoneouse of Oklee; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Olaf Rystad, Howard Rystad, Melvin Rystad and Orvin Rystad; and two sisters, Thelma Dahle and Ann Branvold.
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