Nels Owen Snustad, 83, Moorhead, died January 3rd at Golden Living Center under their devoted caring staff and the Hospice of the Red River Valley after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.
Nels was born May 9, 1923 on a farm near Hendrum, MN to Gilma and Carl Snustad. He attended Wide Awake country school for 8 years and graduated from Hendrum High School. He entered the Army in 1942 and served in an engineering company in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. After his military service he attended North Dakota School of Science and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Nels married Myrtle Christianson in Minot, ND on June 2, 1946. They lived in Minneapolis, Halstad, MN, and Watertown, SD before coming to Moorhead in 1965. He worked in Fargo with Ulteig Engineers for 22 years.
Nels was a man of deep faith and was a dedicated member of the Lutheran Church of Christ the King where he served as choir director for many years. Later he was a member of the Worship Choir and directed a choir at Eventide Lutheran Home. He was also a member of the Moorhead Kiwanis, Gideon International, Cursillo and volunteered for other organizations. He had a great gift to fix things and was always willing to help others. He loved to watch sports on TV, especially the Minnesota Twins. He played tennis weekly with his favorite tennis foursome until his illness forced him to retire (in December 2005).
Nels was an organizer of family reunions and valued time spent with his family. His love of travel brought him to Norway where he made many family connections. Nels was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife Myrtle of 60 years, three sons: Jerry (Mary Jo) Grand Rapids, MN; David (Jana) Helena, MT; John (Deb) Grand Forks, ND, one daughter: Dr. Diane (Paul Humphreys), Charlottesville, VA; ten grand children, three great granddaughters
The family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers of Golden Living Center and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate and loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Music Room of the Lutheran Church of
Visitation: Friday, 5 PM until 8 PM, with at prayer service at 7 PM,
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Celebration of life: Saturday, January 6, 2007, at 2 PM,
Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead.
Inurnment: St. Pauli Cemetery, Hendrum, MN.