Grygla - Stewart Sistad, 68, died Monday, July 5, 1999 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 9 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla with Pastor Paul Knutson officiating. Gloria Sistad was the organist, and the pianist was Kim Cleven. Soloists included Stephanie Olson, Jodi Schultz and Jody Kirkeide. Casketbearers were Norman Hanson, Johnny Benson, Bob Santl, Donald Thomas, Rodney Byklum, Leland Thomas, Larry Nordby and Dennis Sistad.
Honorary casketbearers were Stewart's grandchildren, Crystal Beito, Kari Beito, Adam Cwikla, Ryan Cwikla, Barry Olson, Stephanie Olson, Mike Cleven and Greg Olson, and all those who considered him a friend. Burial was in St. Olaf Cemetery in Valley township of Marshall county. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Stewart Oscar Sistad was born on June 3, 1931 in Benville township of Beltrami county, the son of Joel Melvin and Mina "Minnie" Tolena (Bye) Sistad. He was baptized and later confirmed on September 16, 1945 at the Valle Lutheran Church. He grew up in Benville township and attended Benville rural school through the eighth grade, receiving his diploma on May 31, 1945. He remained at home, farming with his parents, until he was an adult.
On March 12, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lottie "Laudy" Ann Leskiw in Hallock. While the couple lived in various places where Stewart worked, they always considered Grygla to be their home area.
Stewart's working years included the Hannah Mining Company, the oil fields in Tioga, ND, Erickson Farms, pipeline construction, the Peterson Cafe which the couple operated, Grygla School, Land O'Lakes, Thygeson Construction, Benson Construction, Arctic Cat, a gravel trucking business that Stewart operated for some time, All State Paving, Grygla Forestry Department, Farmer's Union and Ag Dept., and Stanley Farms. He also continued to farm his land.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Grygla Lions Club, charter member of the Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman Club and a member of the Teamsters' Union.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Lottie "Laudy" of Grygla; three daughters, Bonnie (Bob) Cwikla of Grygla, Connie (Rick) Beito of Middle River and Susan "Susie" (Rick) Olson of Grygla; six grandchildren; three sisters, Hazel Bjorge of Buxton, ND, Alma Foss of Mentor and Adeline Sletten of Thief River Falls; two brothers, Marvin (Alice) Sistad of Erskine and Palmer Sistad of St. Paul; one sister-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James and Arvid; one sister-in-law; and three brothers-in-law. A00003B1999JL14