Gayle Martin Hofstad died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at his home near Oklee, MN. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Oak Park Lutheran Church rural Oklee, MN with Rev. Joseph Abrahamson officiating. Burial will follow at Clearwater Cemetery, Oklee, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service, Oklee, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Saturday at the church. Gayle Martin Hofstad was born on June 30, 1950 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Paul and Gladys (Gunderson) Hofstad. He was baptized and confirmed in the Clearwater Church in rural Oklee. Gayle attended school in Oklee and graduated from Oklee High School in 1968. After graduation, Gayle worked at Detroiter Manufacturing in Red Lake Falls while staying at home and helping his Dad on the farm. In 1974 Gayle and his brother Rene purchased the family farm from their father, Paul, which was homesteaded by their grandparents, Rolf and Anne Hofstad. They raised beef cattle and small grains. Gayle enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and spending time with his family and friends. His grand nieces and nephews greatly enjoyed the rides he gave them on his 4-wheeler while checking on the cows. He also had great hunting and snowmobiling stories to share with them. Gayle served as a supervisor and officer on the Equality Township Board for 22 years and presently was serving as Chairman. He also served on the Clearwater Cemetery Board. Gayle is survived by his brother, Rene (Ardis) Hofstad of Bemidji, MN; and brother-in-law, William Lemley of Corpus Christi, TX; nephews, Benjamin (Lisa) Hofstad of Bemidji, MN, Alan Lemley of Benbrook, TX, Darrin (Andrea) Hofstad of Grand Rapids, MN; and nieces, Karin (Jeff) Wade of Benbrook, TX, and Kelli Jo (Jason) Nelson of St. Louis Park, MN. He is also survived by 4 grand nieces and 3 grand nephews and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Gladys Hofstad; sister, Merlyce Lemley; nephew, Jeremy Hofstad; his (Gunderson) aunts and uncles, Gunhild, Gunner, Gunder, Thora, Emma, and Torkel; and his (Hofstad) aunts and uncles, Grunde, Martin, Iven, Adolph, Myrtle, Anne, Grundy and Ragna. Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com ACCOMPANIST: Rev. Joseph Abrahamson SOLOIST: Karleen Wilde "Amazing Grace" CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "Jerusalem My Happy Home" & "The King Of Love My Shepherd Is" PALLBEARERS: Benjamin Hofstad, Darrin Hofstad, Jason Nelson, Corey Wilde, Eric Wilde, Ryan Wilde