Paul E. Karlstad

Paul E. Karlstad, 84, of Portland, ND, died on Monday, September 28, 2015 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND. Paul was born May 3, 1931, north of Mayville in Lindaas Township to Martin and Marit (Erickson/Rotvold) Karlstad. Paul lived his entire life in the Mayville Portland community. He worked for Harrington Stock Yards in the early fifties, farmed south of Mayville during the late '50s through the late '70s. Paul began driving school bus for the Mayville district and continued on for the MayPort CG School, driving bus for 42 years. He deeply enjoyed working with the staff, fellow bus drivers, and being involved with the children of MPCG. During the 1980s, Paul became the manager for the Portland Parks retiring in 2012. Paul married June Hornbaker on December 16, 1950 in Cavalier, ND. They met in the fall of 1948 at the Mayville airport when June's brother flew her to Mayville to begin college. Paul offered her a ride from the airport to the college and the rest is history. Paul served in the army during the Korean conflict with the military police. He served on many boards throughout the community during his life. Paul deeply loved his children, grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to tell everyone about his seven great grandsons. Paul's sense of humor and good spirit will be deeply missed by all. He will be always remembered for his deep faith in God, his ability to make a stranger feel welcome, and his loving nature to open his home for family and friends. Paul's heritage was a major part of his life. He spoke Norwegian fluently and enjoyed numerous trips to Norway. As was Paul's humorous nature, he often referred to Norway as 'the holy land' when speaking to others about his family's heritage. Paul's routine was to call Norway every two weeks just to 'catch up' with family. A favorite memory of his to tell was on one of his trips he was given the opportunity to speak on the radio in Trondheim. During the interview the announcer asked Paul what year he moved from Norway to live in the United States. Whether immediate or extended, family gatherings were always his favorite past time. He enjoyed hosting family events at their house, impromptu or planned, the door was always open. Paul is survived by his wife: June of Portland; children: Marty (Jayne) Karlstad of Mayville, Andrea (David) Lee of Hatton, Carmen (Marlow) Rygg of Portland, Teresa (Fred) Briggs of Charlotte, MI, and John Karlstad of Moorhead, MN; grandchildren: Amber (Chad) Fyre of Milnor, ND, Katie (Derrick) Holzer of Pahrump, NV, Jordan Paul Karlstad of Loveland, CO, Jayne Marie Lee of Fargo, ND, Erik Lee of Hatton, ND, Julie (Adam) Johnson of Fargo, ND, Kelly (Jack) Pederson of Minneapolis, MN and Scott (Kayla) Rygg of Portland, ND; great grandsons: Jace, Cole, and Easton James Fyre, Zach Dockter, Landon, and Ryder Paul Holzer, and Easton Scott Pederson. The family wishes to recognize Dennis (Belinda) Johnson as he brought joy and love to Paul and June after their children had grown and left home. Paul's sister: Ellen Ann Bolstad of Valley City, ND, and numerous much loved nieces and nephews who knew that when talking to Uncle Paul, you were his favorite. Paul is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Pearl, Margaret, Edgar, Marvin, Hjalmer, Lief, Edith, Marian and grandson-in-law: Preston Dockter. Visitation: Will be 5- 7 PM with a 7 PM Public Prayer Service on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Riverside Evangelical Free Church in Mayville, ND. Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard & ND Military Funeral Honors Burial: Will be at the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND.