Earl R. Listul

To join Earl's family and friends for his Celebration of Life Service, please click on the livestream link below his obituary.

Earl R. Listul, 89, of Moorhead, MN, formerly of Dilworth, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Bethany on University, Fargo, ND.  

Earl R. Listul was born September 13, 1934, in rural Detroit Lakes, MN, to Gilbert and Evelyn (Helgeson) Listul.  He was raised on the family farm where he attended country school through the eighth grade, before graduating from Detroit Lakes High School in 1952.  After high school, Earl began his dedicated career in the grocery business and started working for Red Owl Store Inc, in Detroit Lakes.  

On September 2, 1956, Earl was united in marriage to Shirley Hendricksen in Detroit Lakes.  He managed several grocery stores in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, MN, Fargo, ND, and Dilworth.  In 1962, Earl established “Earl’s Super Valu” in Dilworth, which he owned and operated for the next 30 years.  Over the years Earl became known for his large selection of Italian pastas, homemade Italian Sausage and his Spaghetti Sauce. Also, during this time, Earl and his son James ran a highly successful meat department that was rated in the top three stores in Fargo under the Super Valu Division.  All four of Earl's children worked at the store and learned the value of a good work ethic and providing the best customer service.  

He would later venture into the self-service laundromat and dry-cleaning business in 1972, owning and operating “Earl’s King Koin Kleenette”, for the next 21 years.  Earl had many wonderful memories of all the many employees and customers he had during those 30 years on Hwy 10, in downtown Dilworth.  He retired and closed the grocery store on September 1, 1991.   

In 1993, Earl and Shirley built their retirement home in Detroit Lakes and moved back to their hometown.  They enjoyed many years of retirement there until they moved to Moorhead, MN, in 2019 to be closer to family.  

Earl was a member of Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, and First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes.  He was a “Life” member of the Dilworth Lions Club, where he was one of the original founders and charter member of 1962.  Another joy for Earl was assisting with many of the Italian spaghetti dinners in the Dilworth area over the years.  

In his leisure time Earl found joy in woodwork crafts and became a Master Wood Turner. His creations ranged from Knick Knacks, assorted bowls, plant stands, miniature stools and many other items.  He also enjoyed playing card games and gardening. Above all else, Earl treasured his wife, children and grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 67 years, Shirley; children, James (Barbara) Listul, Becker, MN, Connie (Mark) Lundgren, Rapid City, SD, Debra Schulz, Dilworth, MN, and David (Renée) Listul, Jamestown, ND; grandchildren, Jennifer (Gary) Berding, Michael (Ashley) Listul, JoAnna (Jeff Douthitt) Listul, Alissa (Bjørn) Hanson, Kayla (Kevin) Stenstrom, Renee (Franklin) Charon, Tyson (Alehna) Schulz, Jonathan Listul and Olivia Listul; great-grandchildren, Dietrich Berding, Lila Berding, Mikayla Listul, Regan Listul, Leif Hanson, Clara Hanson, Ella Hanson, Cali Stenstrom, Landon Charon, Connor Charon, Franklin Charon IV, Avah Schulz. Ian Stenstrom and Sawyer Listul; brother, Curtis (Audrey) Listul, Detroit Lakes; and many nieces and nephews.   
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Ingo Schulz; and sisters, Mae Ann Sharp, Dona Jane Larson and Alice Hammer.  

Memorials may be directed to Dilworth Lutheran Church or the Dilworth Lions Club.

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Earl will be Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:00 PM, Prayer Service in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead. 

His Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth.

He will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN. 

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)