Selvin Rovelstad

Selvin Henry Rovelstad, 89, a resident of Underwood, died Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at his home, under the care of Lakeland Hospice.

He was born October 28, 1924, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Harold and Helga (Haugen) Rovelstad. He was baptized and confirmed at Sverdrup Lutheran Church. Selvin grew up in Fergus Falls until the family moved to the Underwood area when he was nine years old. He attended country school at District #109, and then Underwood High School, graduating in 1942. He attended Moorhead State College. He loved acting, performing in many plays, and also singing, including in the Orpheum Male Chorus as a young man, and later with the Barbershop singers and church choir.

In 1947 he married Alice Grimsrud, and they had three children, Halbert, Annette, and Ellen. Alice passed away in 1971. He and Connie Lund Hoff were married in 1974 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Selvin farmed with his father and then on his own on the Rovelstad homestead. He then worked until 1989 in the Underwood Public School. They resided on the farm until September of 2011 when they moved to Tamarack Manor in Underwood, where they have since resided.

He was an active member of Tingvold Lutheran Church, and was also active in 4H and the Underwood Lions Club. He and Connie enjoyed 20 years spending their winters in Mesa, Arizona.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife, Alice, a sister, Harriet Downs, and a daughter, Annette.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Rovelstad of Underwood; five children: Halbert (Linda) Rovelstad of Maui, HI, Ellen Todd of Wilmer, AL, Michael (Tammy) Hoff of Fergus Falls, Kay Bauer of Crystal, MN, and Shelly (Charles) Pingel of Sabin, MN; 11 grandchildren: Seth (Mandy) Rovelstad, Steve Rovelstad, Jennifer Todd, Emily Todd, Chris (Ashley) Hoff, Kendell (Nate) Gray, Taran Hoff, Eric Grong, Amanda Grong, Tyler Pingel and Timothy Pingel; two great-grandchildren, Nadia and Brody Gray, with two more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice.

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a 5 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2013, at Tingvold Lutheran Church, rural Underwood
Clergy: Reverend Nancy Monke
Interment: Tingvold Lutheran Cemetery, rural Underwood.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.