George Hanestad, 88, died Monday, March 17, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Funeral service will be 11:00, Friday, March 21, 2008 at First Baptist Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Carroll Erickson officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be Thursday 2-5 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

George Harold Hanestad was born April 10, 1919 at Badger, MN, the son of Adolph and Kathryn (Keefe) Hanestad. He was baptized at First Baptist Church and attended school at Badger, MN.

On February 20, 1941, George entered the United States Army, where he served his country as a Staff Sergeant and received his honorable discharge, November 4, 1945.

He married Rema Winona Elgin, November 22, 1947 in Grand Forks, ND. They started their married life in Badger, MN where George worked at Halvorson Department Store. In 1951, they moved to Thief River Falls where George worked for Peterson Biddick for 36 years. He drove truck, was a route salesman, and in the later years served as manager.

George was a member of First Baptist Church, Thief River Falls, served as deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher and served on the Board of Trustees for First Baptist. He was a Life Member of American Legion and VFW in Thief River Falls.

George loved to bowl and shoot pool. He was also an avid bird hunter, scouting out many duck, grouse, and geese. George also enjoyed watching sports on television.

Survived by wife, Rema Winona Hanestad, Thief River Falls, MN; 2 children, Darrell (Laurie) Rude, Duluth, MN and Warren (Gloria) Hannestad, Thief River Falls, MN; 8 grandchildren, Kyle Rude, Tris Rude and Brett Rude all Duluth, MN, Lita (Clay) Gleason, Baxter, MN, Jana (Garry) Krause, Duluth, MN, Lee Ann (Blair) Lund, and Anneke (Joe) Klosterman of Thief River Falls, MN, Troy (Jenny) Hanestad of Moorhead, MN, and 15 great grandchildren, and one sister Vida Petterson, Roseau, MN.

Preceded in death by parents, sister, Hazel Dann and brother, Raymond Hanestad.

ORGANIST: Judy Johnson
SOLOIST: Peter Johnson
SELECTIONS: In The Garden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace and What A Friend We Have In Jesus
CASKETBEARERS: All Georges grandchildren