Rev. Clifford Bruce ULSTAD

ULSTAD, BLUE, LUNDH, LEAF, GODFREY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:03

September 1, 1942 ---- January 17, 2016

C. Bruce Ulstad -- Husband, Father, Grandfather and Longtime Pastor, Age 73, of Rosemount, [Minnesota] passed away on January 17, 2016.

Survived by loving wife of 47 years, Joyce; children, Jeremy (Marla), Larissa (John) Lundh, Melanie Leaf; grandchildren, Sophie, Shelby, Riley, Zach, Ava, Zoey, Ellie & Henry; and sister, Bette Blue.

Our Dad was unwavering in his faith in God, steadfast in his love for his family, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and corny (in the best way). He never said an unkind word about anyone and refused to judge, believing that God was always working in someone’s heart. He was a history buff, specifically Civil War era history. He liked “guy movies” and working on woodworking projects in his garage.

He never refused snuggles and story time when a grandchild hopped onto his lap. He was the king of dry humor, a zinger-slinging jokester. His puns were legendary. He was frugal or “tighter than bark on a tree”, as he would say. When driving down the road, he would suddenly say “there’s a nickel!” and pull over, pick up a pop can we hadn’t even seen and throw it in the trunk. When he had collected enough of them he’d get the Iowa refund and spend it on surprise gifts for us.

He lived simply, wanted nothing, asked for nothing. He liked to say “free is my favorite word”, but as much as he liked free stuff it was evident that he gave even more freely of his time, love, respect and compassion.

He was a pastor for 32 years across six parishes in Iowa and Upper Peninsula Michigan (eh?). It was a calling for him and he was devoted to his mission but would always take a break to walk a block home from the church and help start the lawn mower (or whatever else we needed) and then right back to work. He once pulled out binoculars in the pulpit so he could see the people in the back row.

He loved coffee, and would drink it by the pot by himself. What he really loved though was drinking it with others at the drugstore in Allison, free coffee and donuts on Tuesday’s at Cub in Rosemount, and especially church. It had to be “good Lutheran coffee” that a spoon would stand up in though to meet his approval.

In his retirement he still enjoyed keeping his mind active by conducting Bible Study for a group of friends from his church. He touched more people than we have or will ever know about, but we will always treasure how he touched ours.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local hospice organization in Bruce's name.

http://www.klecatskys.com/obituaries/C-Bruce-Ulstad/#!/Obituary

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Bruce Ulstad installed St. Olaf Lutheran Church

A former Eagle Grove man was installed associate pastor of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge on Sunday morning, March 13. Installation services were held at both the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services. Rev. Ulstad recently was pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Bennington Township in rural Waterloo, and was pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church, Kelley, from 1969 to 1974. Ulstad graduated from the Eagle Grove Junior College, the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, in 1965, and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minn, in 1969. Rev. and Mrs. Ulstad have two children, Jeremy 3, and Larissa, 9 months. They are making their home at 2621 Williams Drive, Fort Dodge. The St. Olaf congregation had a family potluck dinner at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall following the last installation service.

Ulstad is the son of the late Clifford Ulstad and Mrs. Ulstad of Eagle Grove. Mrs. Ulstad and daughter, Mrs. Bette Blue of Webster City, attended the day's festivities.

March 18, 1977
Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa

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[son of Clifford Ulstad and Bessie (Godfrey) Ulstad]