Elton M. Rystad, 84, of Grand Forks, ND formerly of Oklee, MN died on Monday, September 6, 1999 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 10, 1999 at 10:00 AM in Salem Lutheran Church near Oklee with Reverend Robert Paulson Officiating. Burial will be held in the church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 " 7 PM with a 7:00 prayer service at the Petterson Funeral Home in Oklee and also one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Elton Morris Rystad was born February 7, 1915 in Garnes Township Red Lake County, near Oklee, MN son of Ole and Pauline (Vic) Rystad. He was raised there and attended Garnes rural school. Elton worked on the home farm until 1939 when he moved to Montana and worked as a ranch hand. On April 29, 1941 he entered the US Army serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Elton received two bronze stars during his service to his country. He was honorably discharged on September 8, 1945 at Camp McCoy, WI. On May 12, 1946 he was united in marriage to Ruby Slettvedt in Red Lake Falls. They lived and farmed in Oklee for 2 years then moved to Grand Forks, ND where he worked at Flaat Farms from 1949 until his retirement in 1988. Elton enjoyed hunting, fishing and working.
Elton is survived by Ruby Rystad of Grand Forks, ND; children LaVonne Brown (Don) of Oklee, MN; Jim Rystad (Donna) of Red Lake Falls, MN; Roy Rystad (Carolyn) of Oklee, MN and Barbara Weberg (Gary) of Wylie, TX. Eight grandchildren Sarah Rystad, David Rystad, Corey Rystad, Brian Rystad, Tracy Rystad, Mitchell Rystad, Dale Rystad and James Weberg: one brother Vernon Rystad of Red Lake Falls and one sister Myrtle Stoneouse of Oklee, MN; several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Olaf Rystad, Howard Rystad, Melvin Rystad, Orvin Rystad: sisters Thelma Dahle and Ann Branvold.

ORGANIST: Marian Marquis
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: The Old Rugged Cross and What A Friend We have in Jesus #439
SOLOIST: Donna Sherman
CASKET BEARERS: David Rystad, Mitchell Rystad, Randy Ruppert, Richard Altendorf, John Davis and Ordean Rystad.
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Post Plummer, MN