Eastvold, Allen J. (1942-2011)

EASTVOLD, DURBY, RUSS, EVENSON, VAN GERPEN

Posted By: Paul Nagy, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/24/2011 at 17:15:22

Allen J. Eastvold
July 27, 1942 - January 16, 2011

Allen J. Eastvold, age 68, of Forest City, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at his home in rural Forest City.

Allen John Eastvold was born on July 27, 1942, in rural Wells, Minnesota, near Rice Lake, the son of Julius and Bessie (Durby) Eastvold. He graduated from Rake High School in 1960.

Unbeknownst to his parents, Allen began taking flying lessons at the age of 15. He furthered his education by attending Waldorf College in Forest City and went on to graduate from Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, with a degree in business. He worked for a short time as an insurance agent.

On June 4, 1966, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ruth Russ at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa. The couple made their home in Minneapolis where Allen was a flight instructor.

In 1968, Allen began working for Eastern Airlines, a career that would span 22 years and over 20,000 hours of flight time. The family lived in many different communities through these years, finally settling in Forest City in 1977. Allen continued working for Eastern Airlines until his retirement in 1990.

Allen then worked for the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher and as a jailer. He later drove truck and did a little flying for Norseman Trucking in Lake Mills.

Allen was a huge sprint car racing fan, attending the races in Knoxville, Iowa, for almost 50 years. He enjoyed making the trip to see the Indianapolis 500, sharing the time with family and friends. He was a long-time country music fan but had recently developed a taste for Bluegrass music and had attended several festivals.

An important part of Allen's social calendar was attending the Lutefisk dinners offered by area churches. Besides enjoying the food, it was a chance for him to renew acquaintances and visit with friends.

He is survived by his mother, Bessie Eastvold, of Rake, Iowa; three children: Tim Eastvold, of Forest City, and his children, Julia and Michael, and their mother, Melissa; Darla and Brad Evenson, of Lake Mills, and their children, Scott, Drake, Amelia and Hannah; and Matt Eastvold, of Forest City. Also surviving are three brothers: James Eastvold, of Grimes, Iowa; Paul (Karilyn) Eastvold, of Springfield, Illinois, and Darrell (Ginny) Eastvold, of Mankato, Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews; his sisters-in-law Lou Ann (Pete) Van Gerpen, of Garner, and Irene Russ, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Allen was preceded in death by his father, his wife, Patricia, in 2006, a brother, Merlin, who died in infancy in 1944, and a brother-in-law, Ronald Russ.

Funeral service for Allen Eastvold will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, and will continue an hour prior to service at the church.

Copyright © 2010, Petersen Lund Funeral Home

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