HOLSTAD, Sophus Burnell

HOLSTAD, ROSLIEN, LAU, RUBIN, HENDRICKSON

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 6/20/2013 at 01:57:27

Sophus Burnell Holstad, 86, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at
North Iowa Mercy Hospital, Mason City, Iowa. The funeral services will be held
at Zion Lutheran Church, Thursday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Kermit
Roisen officiating. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m., at the Elk Creek Lutheran
Church Cemetery, west of Kensett, Iowa, with military honors at the graveside by
the VFW 4868 of Clear Lake. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. Memorials may be
directed to Elk Grove Cemetery, Elk Creek Cemetery and Zion Lutheran Church
Acoustical Fund.

Sophus was born August 23, 1915, on a farm near Kensett, Iowa, the son of Albert
and Amanda (Roslien) Holstad. He completed his education in Manly and Kensett
schools. Sophus continued helping his family with farming until entering the
Army Oct. 7, 1941. After completing his basic training at Camp Wallace, Texas,
Sophus served 44 months during WWII in the Pacific Theatre.

He attained Sergeant in the Coast Artillery Anti-Air-Craft and was awarded two
bronze stars, several meritorious ribbons and was Honorably discharged Oct. 10,
1945.

Sophus married Eldora Lau, June 8, 1947 at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood,
Iowa. To this union four children were born; Alyn, twin girls Sharyl and
Sharyn, and Lynn. Their first eleven years were spent farming near Kensett and
Sophus was employed as a sales representative in Worth County for Lowe Seed Co.
In 1957 when promoted to District Sales Manager for a 15 county area, they moved
to Clear Lake. Twelve years later he accepted a position as Regional Manager
for Vi-Amino Feeds Inc., Colfax, Ill. He retired in 1983 and continued to live
in Clear Lake.

Sophus was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He served on the church councils
of Elk Creek and Zion Lutheran Churches while continuing to volunteer as an
usher and committee member for many years. Sophus was baptized and confirmed at
Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett. Sophus served as a director of
townships for the Farm Bureau organization. He was a charter member and
volunteer of the Sons of Norway, Midnotsol Land 535.

He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 4868 of Clear Lake.

In earlier years, he loved to dance, travel, go on fishing trips and gardening.
In later years he enjoyed listening to big band music, playing cards, reading
and completing word puzzles. He was committed to keeping a daily journal for
many years and entertaining his friends with Norwegian stories. Sophus, being
proud of his Norwegian heritage, took great pride in making Lefse. Sophus’
greatest joy was spending time with his family and visiting with family and
friends. He will be sadly and greatly missed by his family and friends.

Sophus is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eldora Holstad, Clear Lake; two sons
Alyn Holstad and his wife, Sandra, Gilbert, Az., and Lynn Holstad and his wife,
Vicky, Silvercliffe, Colo.; two daughters, Sharyl Rubin and her husband,
Gregory, Glenview, Ill. and Sharyn Hendrickson and her husband, Keith, Omaha,
Neb.; eight grandchildren, Tracy Holstad, Todd Holstad and his wife, Kristen;
Heather Hendrickson, Joel Hendrickson, Carissa Holstad, Aaron Holstad, Michael
Rubin and his wife, Marsha and Stephen Rubin; three great-grandchildren; two
brothers, Arnold Holstad and his wife, Amy, Mesa, Az. and Harlan Holstad and his
wife, Virginia, Hampton, Iowa; four sisters, Berniece Rodemeyer and her husband,
Edward, Hampton, Iowa, Marcella Picken and her husband Donald, Mason City, Iowa,
Orla Nelson and her husband, Gordon, Joice, Iowa, and Lorette Kroneman and her
husband, Merle, Mason City, Iowa; two aunts, Doris Holstad and Mildred Citurs;
and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Amanda Holstad; two sisters,
Alva Reetz and Loraine Albertus.