Vernon Onstad

Vernon R. Onstad, 89, of Underwood, died Friday, May 6, 2011, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. On May 9, 1922 he was born to Christian and Olga (Beckman) Onstad in Sverdrup Township near Underwood the fourth of five children. He grew up there working on the family farm and attending country school at District 109. In 1942 he went into the Army and served as a surgical tech in the Pacific Theatre. On July 22, 1949 he married Ruth Nygaard at Sverdrup Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Underwood. Vernon worked for many years for Swedberg Tree Service until his retirement in 1986. He was a lifetime member of Sverdrup Lutheran Church. Through the years, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, and sharing the produce with family and friends, especially his sister Florence Leitch. He loved spending time with his family and grandkids as well as with his dog, Boomer. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Muriel and her husband Knute Pederson, a brother Wilfred and his wife Gladys Onstad, a brother-in-law Roy Leitch, as well as three nephews Keith Onstad, Verdelle Pederson and Gary Leitch. He is survived by his daughter Linda Onstad of Fargo, son Dale (Linda) Onstad of Fergus Falls, grandchildren; Andy, Tony, Joe and Kali, two sisters Carol (Wesley) Mavis of Washington State, and Florence Leitch of Underwood, along with numerous nieces and nephews. His family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff and families at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home. Services: Tuesday May, 10, 2011 at1:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel Clergy: Chaplain Greg Hayek Visitation: One hour before services at the Olson Funeral Home Burial: Sverdrup Lutheran Church Cemetery north of Underwood, with military participation by the Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls