Joel LeRoy Togstad

Joel L. Togstad, 77 of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday evening, February 06, 2006 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Joel will be held Friday, February 10, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jamie Desai will officiate and bural will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, February 9, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be one hour prior to service time in the church. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Michael Tollefson, Marco Tollefson, Ron Burthold, Steve Bracken, Terry Marback and Doug Carlson. Honorary Pallbearers are Morris Aanstad, Dennis Lysne, Richard Bergeth, Gerald Dimmler, Leon Timboe, Roger Knutson, C.J. Bloomquist, Roger Spidahl, Dale Togstad, Ray Weed, Dewey Tweeten, Harold Helten, Dave Tronson, Emil Walter, Jim Beatty, Ed Jager, Harold Garske, Robert Weed, Dennis Lassig, Izzy LaFleur, Al Hoistad, Bill Halgren, John Halgren, Nels Halgren and Joel’s fellow GosPALS and fellow Senior Center Bus Drivers. Joel LeRoy Togstad was born August 18, 1928 at rural Maddock, ND to Edwin and Minnie (Ploium) Togstad. He attended schools in Maddock and Harlow ND. Joel was united in marriage to Ffalliott Midstokke on June 15, 1951 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. He served in the Army National Guard during the Korean Conflict with the 164th Infantry, stationed at Alabama from January 16, 1951- October 14, 1952. After his honorable discharge he returned to Devils Lake and began employment with the Great Northern Railroad, and later working for Dakota Implement. Joel was employed at I.F. LaFleur & Sons Inc. for 30 years, retiring in 1993. For the last 10 years Joel drove the Devils Lake Transit bus for Senior Meals and Services, retiring in November of 2004 due to ill health. Joel never believed in retirement or unemployment. He spent many of his vacations helping Donald Tollefson and Leo and Jim Ziegler with their farming operations in the spring and fall seasons. Joel also enjoyed showing his restored tractors in parades during the summer. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Sons of Norway and sang with the “ GosPALS.” He was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. . Joel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ffalliott Children: Diane Aamodt and her husband, Daryl of Bayfield, CO David Togstad of Devils Lake Pamela Steffen and her husband, David also Devils Lake Grandchildren: Sarah Aamodt, Hannah Steffen and Sydney Steffen Sister: Evelyn Toso and her husband, William, Devils Lake Brother: Harris Togstad, Maddock, ND Several Nieces and Nephews Joel was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law Eileen Togstad; brothers-in-law: Ole Midstokke and Ancil Midstokke