Lloyd "LT" Rafteseth

Lloyd Theodore "LT" Rafteseth was born on March 16, 1930, in Warren, MN, to Alfred and Lilly (Holson) Rafteseth. He was a loving son and big brother to Walter, his only sibling. He graduated from Thief River Falls (MN) High School in 1949.

Lloyd married DeLoris Emaline Tangquist on June 11, 1954, in Viking, MN. They made their home in Moorhead, MN, where five daughters were added to this union.

As a young boy, watching trains go by the family home in Rosewood, MN, Lloyd would dream of one day becoming a railroad engineer. After a two-year enlistment in the US Army, he would fulfill that dream. He worked diligently providing for his family for forty-five years, retiring from Burlington Northern in 1995.

Lloyd accepted God's plan of salvation and committed his life to Christ at the age of twelve, at an evangelistic tent meeting in his home town. He has been a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Fargo, ND, for over sixty years, and served in a number of different positions. He found the most rewarding areas of service for him were those of an Usher and a Deacon, where he could interact with people and assist with meeting the needs of others.
Lloyd passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Elim Rehab and Care Center in Fargo, under the compassionate care of their staff and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

He is survived by his loving wife, DeLoris, Moorhead; three daughters, Linda (Thomas) Murphy, Fargo, Pamela (Neilden) Vatthauer, Rochester, MN, and Debra (Richard) Wentzel, Underwood, MN; nine grandchildren, Kristyn (fiancé, Peter Hamm) Murphy, Michael Murphy, Scott (Pamela) Murphy, Deneall (Gary) Blok, April (Mark) Roessing, Lana (Phonchai) See, Brooke (Dor) See, Austin (Nicole) Wentzel, and Ethan Wentzel; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter (Ardis) Rafteseth, Chanhassen, MN; brothers-in-law, Hal (Ardelle) Anderson, and Dwight (Linda) Tangquist; sister-in-law, Evadell Tangquist; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin daughters, Judy Ann and Jane Susan; and brother-in-law, Paul Tangquist.

Visitation for Lloyd will be from 10 AM - 11 AM, followed by his funeral at 11 AM, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Fargo. Burial will take place in Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead.