Milton "Milt" Burstad, 78, passed away from malignant melanoma cancer, surrounded by his family, at the Thief River Care Center, under the care of the Hospice of the Red River Valley on Monday, September 17, 2012. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 21, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Golv and Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Milton "Milt" James Burstad was born in Thief River Falls on June 17, 1934, the son of Alvin and Sophie (Breiland) Burstad. He was baptized at the Highlanding Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Milt grew up in the Highlanding area where he was very active in the Kratka 4-H group, earning many trips to the state fair showing Swine. He attended District #11 School in Kratka Township and Northrop School in Thief River Falls. He was a 1951 graduate of Lincoln High School. Milt and Della Cork were married on February 25, 1954 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Together they raised their family in the Thief River Falls area. Milt and Della enjoyed travel in their motor home, especially throughout Wyoming and Northern Minnesota. The couple enjoyed many river cruises in Europe. Milt especially enjoyed 3 weeks in China. Following High School, Milt worked for the Thief River Falls Times. He also worked for the Thief River Falls Post Office as a mail carrier. For 38 ½ years Milt worked for the MN DOT as a Surveyor and Inspector of Road Construction throughout northern Minnesota. Milt served on the Thief River Falls City Council from 1988 to 1999. During this time he was an advocate of the initiative to make the Historic Soo Depot into the city offices. He also oversaw the start of the Greenwood Bridge, as well as the Greenwood Underpass. Milt was a Conservationist who dedicated many acres to raising hybrid poplar trees and also RIM (Reinvest in Minnesota). Wherever there was construction, Milt was there. Milt was a builder all his life, starting with book ends made in his senior year in high school. Over the years he, along with his family built a race car in the 1950's, a race boat, a canoe, his home on the Red Lake River , a snowmobile from reject parts, a cabin in Beltrami Forest, furniture including children's pouting chairs and foot stools, many Norwegian gossip chairs, large Norwegian Queen and King chairs from oak harvested at his beloved farm, rolling pins, mortar and pestals, ornamental wood vases, Easter eggs, many items on the lathe, and enjoyed making walking sticks from fallen sticks in his yard. Of all his pastimes, Milt especially enjoyed his airplane he had for a number of years, and taking his family and grandchildren to the farm for deer hunting. He and Della loved hosting deer hunting at the "Burstad Big Buck Bed and Breakfast." He was a member of the Eagles Club and the Elks Club in Thief River Falls, and was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church. Milt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Della; five children: Gary (Nancy) Burstad, Rock Springs, WY, Janeen (Ken) Kalsnes of Phoenix, AZ, Mike (Sue) Burstad, Casper, WY, Pam (Doug) Dallmann, Thief River Falls, MN, Patti (Loren) Slette, Duluth, MN; grandchildren: Sarah Burstad, Jackson Hole, WY, Suzie (Nick) Mahon, Laramie, WY, Emily Burstad, Laramie, WY, Jamie (Ryan) Bakken, Thief River Falls, MN, Derek Kalsnes, East Grand Forks, MN, Andrew Kalsnes, Grand Forks, ND, Seth Burstad, Casper, WY, Karlee Burstad, Casper, WY, Adam (Cindy) Dallmann, Thief River Falls, MN, Allison (Jason) Kangas, Goodridge, MN, Jacob "Jake" Slette, Duluth, MN, Kaitlin Slette, Proctor, MN, Krissy Johnson, St. Cloud, MN, Travis Johnson, Casper, WY, Tyler Rude, Casper, WY; great grandchildren: Keaton and Karter Dallman, Isla and Ethan Mahon, Andraya and Karena Bakken, Cooper and Charlie Kangas; twin sister Mila (Larry) Shaskey, Aitkin, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is also survived by special friends Dick Bergland and Sandra Jorde. Milt was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Sophie Burstad. In lieu of memorials, please send tribute gifts to the Hospice of the Red River Valley, Development Office, 1701 38th St. S. Ste 101, Fargo, ND, 59103-4499, or to donors choice.