1935
Kenneth
2017
Kenneth A. Gaustad
April 4, 1935 — March 26, 2017
HOUSTON, MN - KENNETH A. GAUSTAD, 81, of Houston, MN died on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab in Houston.
Ken was born on April 4, 1935, on Twin Ridge just South of Houston, MN, to Peter O. and Senell (Gunderson) Gaustad. His mother died when Ken was 12 years old. After that, he was raised by his father and step mother, Florence, in the Houston area. Ken loved school sports, especially basketball, and was a 1953 graduate of Houston High School. He went on to attend Winona State T. C. for two years. He was on active duty in the Navel Air Force for 2 years and 9 months. On July 4, 1959 he married Barbara A. Strand. To this union were born three children; Teri, Brent, and Doug. Ken and Barbara were divorced in 1974. On December 26, 1976 he married Janice (Tudahl) Holter. He worked for Northern States Power for the majority of his career. He retired from NSP on January 1, 1996 as an Administrator. Ken had a passion for fast pitch softball. He played for the Navy and many other teams until the age of 40. Ken acquired the nick name, "Hummer" for the sound the ball would make when he pitched. He also loved golfing, hunting, and river life, owning a boathouse with his brother and then purchasing one for his family. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in La Crosse, WI, the Houston American Legion, was a longtime member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN and was currently a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston.
Ken is survived by his sister Margaret Anderson and sister-in-law Violet (Lloyd) Gaustad; his daughter Teri Gaustad of Brownsville, MN and her three children: Jenny (Jon) Rahlf and their children, Jon, Lane and Grace; Kim La Rue and her son, Landon; and Brett La Rue. His son Brent and (Virginia) Gaustad of Brooksville, FL and their children: Jake, David, and Kristen (Jones). His son Doug and (Connie) Gaustad of Brownsville, MN and their son, Owen. His step-daughter, Tami (Bob) Arbuckle of Hayfield, MN; and three stepsons: Tony (Kim) Holter of Hokah, MN, Tracy (Melanie) Holter of Valley High, MN, and Tim (Hollie) Holter of Caledonia, MN; several step-grandchildren (Ryan, Rachel, Adam, Jerry, Griffin, Marissa, Braden, Keaton, Lacey, Aleah, Devin, Arial, Mason, and Logan) and several step-great grandchildren.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Russell and his wife Artis, brother Lloyd, and brother-in-law, Robert Anderson.
There will be a visitation on Friday, March 31, 2017, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. with a time of sharing at 6:00 p.m.
Leave a memory of Ken and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
The family prefers memorials directed to the Houston Food Shelf or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Ken was born on April 4, 1935, on Twin Ridge just South of Houston, MN, to Peter O. and Senell (Gunderson) Gaustad. His mother died when Ken was 12 years old. After that, he was raised by his father and step mother, Florence, in the Houston area. Ken loved school sports, especially basketball, and was a 1953 graduate of Houston High School. He went on to attend Winona State T. C. for two years. He was on active duty in the Navel Air Force for 2 years and 9 months. On July 4, 1959 he married Barbara A. Strand. To this union were born three children; Teri, Brent, and Doug. Ken and Barbara were divorced in 1974. On December 26, 1976 he married Janice (Tudahl) Holter. He worked for Northern States Power for the majority of his career. He retired from NSP on January 1, 1996 as an Administrator. Ken had a passion for fast pitch softball. He played for the Navy and many other teams until the age of 40. Ken acquired the nick name, "Hummer" for the sound the ball would make when he pitched. He also loved golfing, hunting, and river life, owning a boathouse with his brother and then purchasing one for his family. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in La Crosse, WI, the Houston American Legion, was a longtime member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN and was currently a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston.
Ken is survived by his sister Margaret Anderson and sister-in-law Violet (Lloyd) Gaustad; his daughter Teri Gaustad of Brownsville, MN and her three children: Jenny (Jon) Rahlf and their children, Jon, Lane and Grace; Kim La Rue and her son, Landon; and Brett La Rue. His son Brent and (Virginia) Gaustad of Brooksville, FL and their children: Jake, David, and Kristen (Jones). His son Doug and (Connie) Gaustad of Brownsville, MN and their son, Owen. His step-daughter, Tami (Bob) Arbuckle of Hayfield, MN; and three stepsons: Tony (Kim) Holter of Hokah, MN, Tracy (Melanie) Holter of Valley High, MN, and Tim (Hollie) Holter of Caledonia, MN; several step-grandchildren (Ryan, Rachel, Adam, Jerry, Griffin, Marissa, Braden, Keaton, Lacey, Aleah, Devin, Arial, Mason, and Logan) and several step-great grandchildren.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Russell and his wife Artis, brother Lloyd, and brother-in-law, Robert Anderson.
There will be a visitation on Friday, March 31, 2017, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. with a time of sharing at 6:00 p.m.
Leave a memory of Ken and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
The family prefers memorials directed to the Houston Food Shelf or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, March 31, 2017
3:30 - 6:00 pm
Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service - Houston
Guestbook
Visits: 40
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