Caledonia Argus

Posted: 12/15/03

Norton Rostad

Norton Ardell Rostad, 75, of Spring Grove, MN, died Saturday, December 13, 2003 at Green Lea Manor in Mabel. He was born January 26, 1928 in Blackhammer, MN, to Julius and Alice (Skauge) Rostad. He was a lifelong Spring Grove area resident and attended rural school in Blackhammer.

Norton worked at Roverud Construction and farmed with his brother Merle until being drafted into the United States Army. After a short period of time he was honorably discharged when he became ill with Rheumatic Fever.

On November 4, 1956 he married Marjorie Ellingson in Decorah, IA, and the couple was blessed with one daughter, Lola. Norton and Marjorie farmed until 1975 when they moved to Spring Grove where he then worked at the Spring Grove Livestock Exchange until it closed. He worked at All Phase Arena and has just retired from the Spring Grove Sales Barn in June.

His hobbies were mainly carpentry and tinkering with his Dodge truck. He took special pride in his four grandchildren and always took a special interest in each one. Norton was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove and a former member of Faith Lutheran Church of Blackhammer, rural Spring Grove and the Spring Grove American Legion Post #249.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Spring Grove; a daughter, Lola (Greg) Guillien, Caledonia; four grandchildren; one brother, Lyle (Karen), Rochester; three sisters, Elmira (John) Steigerwald, Austin, Arlene Bain, Cedar Rapids, IA and Judy (Bob) Baumbach, Spring Grove; and many nieces and nephews.

Norton was preceded in death by his parents and brother Merle and two brothers-in-law, Ernest Hyland and Jim Bain.

Services will be Thursday, December 18, 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery. Military rites provided by American Legion Post #249 of Spring Grove with Pastor Robert Stoskopf officiating. Friends may call Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

The family requests memorials be given to the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation for Cancer Research or Trinity Lutheran Church of Spring Grove.

Top of Page