Neil Jerome Olstad

Neil J. Olstad a�" Preston Neil Jerome Olstad, 95, of Preston died peacefully Thursday, June 21, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family, of natural causes. Neil was born March 27, 1917, in Preston, to Carl and Olga (Storelee) Olstad. He grew up in rural Preston. Neil was in the Army and was stationed in Alaska during WWII. On May 12, 1944, he married Marlice Bremseth in Lanesboro, and together they raised five children on their family farm. She passed away in 1976. On Aug. 8, 1980, he married Ila Mae Noel Larson in Lanesboro. They moved to Preston in 1997. Ila was a librarian. He was a devoted farmer whose interest in dairy and crops remained far past his retirement from farming at age 80. Neil was a member of the American Legion, Sons of Norway, and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was able to go on the WW II Honor Flight to Washington. Survivors include his wife, Ila Mae Olstad; his children, Neil J. Olstad Jr. (Linda) of Burnsville, Kristin Olstad Dennison (Bruce) of Northfield, Jane Olstad Johnson (Randy) of Wabasha, Paul Olstad (Kim) of Denver, Colo., Martha Olstad Preus (Stephen) of Burnsville, Sidney Larson (Julie) of Clinton, Wis., Noel Larson (Shirley) of Fall Creek, Wis., Ron Larson (Deb) of Racine, Minn., and Marie Larson French (Dean) of Saudi Arabia; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lee Parmelee of Bloomington and Doris Henry of Minneapolis. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlice Bremseth Olstad in 1976; his twin brother, Juel; and three sisters, Bernice Snescall, Lois Baker and Vicky Beck. Funeral service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, with Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will be in Union Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in rural Lanesboro with military honors by the Lanesboro American Legion Post #40. Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is in charge of arrangements. (507) 867-4310 Online condolences may be made at www.rileyfuneralhomes. com