Obituaries

Oliver R.

Stutrud

Oliver R. Stutrud, the son of Otto and Inga (Westgard) Stutrud was born on June 5, 1926 in the home of his parents in rural Pierce County. He died at the age of 86 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Oliver grew up in his parent’s home and attended Rugby schools, graduating from Rugby High School. On May 15, 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, where he had many adventures which most he did not speak of for many years; he was honorably discharged on November 7, 1946. He was united in marriage to Doris Hanks on June 15, 1946; the couple had a bond that was special and timeless. They had two children, Roger, who died in infancy and later Rhoda. He worked for the John Deere Implement in Rugby until the family moved to Goodyear, Arizona where he worked as a mechanic. He later returned his family to where his heart belonged, at the family farm north of Tunbridge, North Dakota. Oliver remained on the farm until needing extended care in 2008. Doris died January 26, 2010

Oliver was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent many hours fishing and many more hours telling fishing stories. He was interested in firearms and collected many over the years. Oliver was a good listener and loved to visit with friends and family. He was very proud to be a father and that pride easily doubled when he became a grandfather and more than tripled when he became a great grandfather. Oliver taught lessons of life in a unique way . . . starting many a lesson with the phrase, “You have got to learn” He also was constantly questing why did they put that, that way, and why didn’t they do it this way.

Oliver is survived by his daughter, Rhoda and her husband, Ed Mickelson of Rolla; three granddaughters, Alison (Andy) Porsborg of Minot, Brittany (Sebastian) Wald of Rolla, and Elizabeth Mickelson of Rolla; a great granddaughter, Adyson Porsborg; a brother Walter of Rugby; a sister, Amy (Virgil) Anderson of Leeds, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife; his infant son, Roger Russell; brothers, Lynn and Theodore “Ted”; and his parents.

Funeral Services were held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at Emmanuel United Church in Rugby. The burial with military honors accorded by the Clarence Larson American Legion Post # 23 Honor and Color Guard of Rugby and the Military Funeral Honors Detail of North Dakota in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Pastor. Don Andrews, officiating.

Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby and continued for one hour prior to the time of services at the Church on Friday.

Hymns: By the Congregation

Organist: Barb Lee

Casket Bearers: Jeff Stutrud, Jim Stutrud, Todd Stutrud, Duane Anderson, Andy Porsborg, Sebastian Wald

Honorary Bearers: Nieces, nephews, family and friends

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby.