Vernon Eystad

Vernon Eystad, 79, former Kensington resident, died Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at the MN Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. Services will be 11:00 am Monday, October 24, 2011, at First Lutheran Church, Kensington, with the Rev. Kathryn Rothman officiating. Burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington. Visitation will be held from 3-6 on Sunday, October 23, at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman and resume at the church one hour before the service on Monday. Vernon Walter Eystad was born May 15, 1932, in Morris, Minnesota, to Joseph and Bertha (Buntje) Eystad. Vernon attended country school and grew up in the Alberta area. He served in the armed forces, entering at Camp Rucker, Alabama, on January 27, 1950, and was honorably discharged on October 26, 1953. After returning from active duty, Vernon farmed south of Morris with his brother, Melvin. On February 25, 1956, Vernon married Sheryl Hokanson in Morris, and to this union six children were born. In 1961, Vernon and Sheryl moved to Kensington and purchased the Kensington Truck Service, which they operated until 1977. Vernon went on to work for HAAS Livestock Agency in South St. Paul, retiring in 2009. Vernon had many interests which included fishing and spending time at the cabin on Lobster Lake, hunting at the "deer shack" in Lancaster, Minnesota, camping, gardening and cooking. Vernon enjoyed traveling, including trips to Las Vegas, and spending the winters in Florence, Arizona. He was also a member of the Kensington Legion Post 268. Vernon is survived by Sheryl, his wife of 55 years, of Kensington; five children: Tim (Karen), Kensington; Tom (Lloyd), Minneapolis; Tamera (David) Presler, Plymouth; Tony (Maurya), Cottage Grove; Todd (Amy), Kensington; and Michael (Karla) Baumgartner, Holloway; eleven grandchildren: Sarah, Rachel, Chris, Alex, Tiffaney, Eric, Nicole, Megan, Ariel, Kelsey, and Alyssa; two sisters, Arlene Freeman of Georgetown, Texas, and Janell (Howard) Jenson of Goodyear, Arizona; and one brother-in- law, Don Bahr of Morris. In addition to his parents, Vernon is preceded in death by a stillborn son; brothers Melvin (Donna) and Donald "Tubby" (Louise); and one brother-in- law, Charles Freeman. Service: 11am Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, First Lutheran Church, Kensington Clergy: Rev. Kathryn Rothman Burial: First Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington Visitation: 3-6 Sunday, Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Hoffman; one hour prior to service at church Monday. Military Rites: Kensington Legion Post 268 Arrangements are with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman. www.EricksonSmithFH.com

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Hoffman 103 7th Street North Hoffman, MN US 56339

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Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Service
Monday, October 24, 2011
cemetery
Monday, October 24, 2011