James "Jim" Stuart Elstad

James S. “Jim” Elstad, 80 of the Oberon/Maddock/Devils Lake, ND area died on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Maddock Memorial Assited Living Center. Funeral Service for Jim will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Ken Bowman will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2009 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Jim will be John Hager, Scott elstad, Jim Engebretson, Dave Holje, Gene Hager and Roger Elstad. Music will be provided by Russell and Lynda Pearson Jim was born August 1, 1928 in Devils Lake, ND to Carl and Minnie (Thompson) Elstad. He grew up with his brothers, Hugo, Carleton, Loren and Orrin “Kent”. He lived on Graham’s Island for many years. Jim moved to Oberon, ND in 1991. He moved from his farmstead and into the Maddock Memorial Assisted Living Center in October of 2007. Jim attended elementary school on rural Graham’s Island and Devils Lake Central High School. Jim entered the United States Army in the fall of 1950 and served until 1952 when he received his honorable discharge. He was a corporal, serving in Europe/Germany during the Korean War as an MP. (Military Police) Jim worked for Concrete Sectional Culvert Co, rural Devils Lake for many years while also farming the family farm. After leaving the Concrete plant, he farmed and ranched full-time, raising cattle, horses and planting crops. His love of horses was shown all over. He took pride and worked hard in farming in both Benson and Ramsey County. He was very prominent around the ND Horse Shows and auctions. Jim had numerous friends. Every morning he would “hook up” with his buddies at the Maddock Bowling Alley for breakfast. He traveled daily for dinner and supper to Devils Lake either to Mr. & Mrs. J’s or the Cedar Inn. This was a “ritual” for him. He enjoyed being out-and-about and visiting with anyone. Many of these meals were “Jim’s treat”. Jim was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church; National Trappers Association; Lifetime member of the Elks, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; National Rifle Association; ND Stockmen’s Association; Eagles Lodge; ND Hereford Association; Sons of Norway; American Quarter Horse Association; AARP; and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assocation. Jim is survived by his brother, Hugo Elstad and his wife, Doris of Arcadia, California; Nephew, Scott Elstad and his wife, Bobbi of Bismarck, ND; niece, Carla Scott and her husband, Greg of Horace, ND and other nieces and nephews, Mabel (Mark) Pirner, Pam (Tim) Greene, Nancy (Tim) Paulsen, Roger (Hannah) Elstad, Tim (Sharon) Elstad, Ron Elstad and John Elstad all of Colorado. Several Great Nieces and Great Nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Minnie Elstad; brothers, Carleton, Loren and Kent and an infant brother; sisters-in-law, Joan Elstad and Mary Elstad.