Harry L. Hjelmstad

Harry L. Hjelmstad , 93, passed away on Friday morning, January 11th at Sanford Medical Center in Mayville, ND. Harry Leslie Hjelmstad was born October 29, 1919 in Holmes, ND, the son of Iver and Sophie Hjelmstad. He attended school at Union 101 and was a life-long member of Stjordalen Lutheran Church until its closure. Harry was a Sergeant in the US Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during his military service. He married Delores Forseth on August 13, 1947. They farmed in the Reynolds area and lived on the farm until 2001 when they moved to Mayville, ND. Harry served as a director of Nodak Rural Electric for 27 years as well as serving on the State Rural Electric Board during a portion of that time. He served as Clerk for Union Township for 45 years. He also was very involved in many other organizations including: President of Stjordalen Lutheran Church; Commander of DAV in Grand Forks, ND; President of Grand Forks County Farmers Union and a 50 year member of the Legion Club in Hatton, ND and the VFW in Mayville, ND. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Iver and Sophie and his sisters Sarah Hjelmstad and Harriet Clementson; great granddaughter Whitney Sand. He is survived by his wife Delores and three children: Nancy (Don) Krogstad, Grand Forks, ND; Lyle (Carol) Hjelmstad, Reynolds, ND and Cathy (Greg) Birkholz, Howard Lake, MN; six grandchildren: Shelly (Dave) Vollmer; JoDee ( Lance) Nielsen; Amy (Troy) Sand, Jason (Katie) Krogstad; Jennifer (Brad) Heisler and Adam Birkholz; and eight great grandchildren – Tucker and Ashlyn Nielsen; Ethan and Abby Sand; Reed, Sophie and Luke Krogstad; Audrey Heisler; brother Arne (Donna) Hjelmstad, Towner, ND. Visitation: Will be on Monday, January 14, 2013 from 4 ~ 7 PM with a 6:30 PM Public Prayer Service at the Baker Funeral Home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Reynolds, ND. Burial: Stjordalen -Hjelmstad Cemetery, Reynolds, ND.