Orvin Ulstad

Orvin W. Ulstad, 84, New Effington, passed away December 26, 2022, at St. Gerard's Community of Care in Hankinson.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with Rev. Karie Geyer officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Deb Bredvik and vocalists Kara Hansen and Julie Conway.

Orvin Wencil Ulstad was born on April 11, 1938, to Willie and Anna (Olson) Ulstad in Sisseton, SD.  He was baptized and confirmed at Nidaros Lutheran Church in Hammer, SD.  Orvin attended elementary school at Lien #3 near Hammer and graduated from New Effington High School in 1957.  Orvin, nicknamed Crazy Legs in football, loved playing sports and was very good at everything he played.

After high school, Orvin went to Minneapolis, MN, and was employed at a machine shop. He then went on to work in many different fields of construction.

Orvin met Ruth Ann Struck at New Effington High School and they dated for five years until they were married in 1959 at Brandvold Lutheran Church near Victor, SD. They lived in a couple different apartments until they bought their first home in 1964 in Blaine, MN, where they had so many good neighbors and friends.  Their three children Tammy, Todd, and Kristin all went to elementary school in Blaine.  Orvin's friend Knute Broz asked him to come and work at the New Effington Elevator, so they moved there in 1968.

After Ruth Ann's dad passed away in 1969, they moved back to Blaine and bought another house in the same neighborhood so with that came more friends and neighbors.  They moved to Ramsey, MN, in 1980 and really enjoyed living there.  Orvin always looked forward to returning to New Effington every year to help Brad Eggers with harvest.

Orvin enjoyed riding horseback and everyone who knew Orvin would see him in his Western hats, shirts, and boots. He liked fishing in the spring and hunting in the fall. Orvin loved getting outside mowing grass and plowing snow in the neighborhood. He was always willing to help out anyone in need.

Orvin had a severe stroke in 2018 and was totally paralyzed on his left side so from the hospital went to Camilio Rose Nursing Home in Coon Rapids, MN.  When the nursing home became an assisted living, Orvin was transferred to St. Gerard Nursing Home in Hankinson, ND, and lived there until his death on December 26, 2022.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann of Wahpeton, ND; his children, Tamera (Pete) Scrudato of Wahpeton, Todd (Marie) Ulstad of Ramsey, and Kristin (Patrick) Wilkes of St. Michael, MN; his grandchildren, Jerica (Dan) Lemme of Rapid City, Morgan of Hankinson, Taylor and great-grandson Eli of Wahpeton, Ashley Wilkes and great-grandson Remington of Elk River, MN, Shane Wilkes of Minneapolis, and Alexa Wilkes of Eau Claire, WI; his sister, Verona Dalin of Granite Falls, MN; and nieces, Patrice of Granite Falls, and Jody (Vince) of Belvidere, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Anna Ulstad; sister, Diane; brother-in-law, Gary Dalin; grandmother, Olga Ulstad; nephew, Shane Lekness; niece, Kara Monson; and uncle, Morris Ulstad. He is greatly missed by his family, neighbors, and many friends.