Hilma Stadstad

Hilma Stadstad, age 106, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Monday, June 3^rd, at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12^th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston with the Rev. Jane Ekholm officiating. Interment will be in Maple Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Hilma M. Stadstad of Fosston, Minnesota passed away on June 3rd at McIntosh Senior Living, McIntosh, Minnesota. Throughout her remarkable 106 years, 8 months, and 24 days of life – she was a confident, creative, sharp, and caring woman, kind and gracious to all she met. She was dearly loved, and she will be missed.

In true Hilma fashion – she wrote her own obituary to be shared after she passed. The following is Hilma’s story in her own words.

I was born to Bennie and Hilda Lundby on September 10th, 1917, at the farm in Godfrey Township. I was baptized and confirmed at the Maple Lake Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. I attended elementary school at Roadside #113 and graduated from Fertile High School in 1935. After high school, I attended Teacher’s Training in Crookston and taught in rural school for three years.

Realizing teaching was not my calling, I attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, graduating in 1940. This was to prepare for working in the church, which was my heart’s desire. I worked as a parish worker at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Paul, and later worked in the office of Church Headquarters in Minneapolis. Wanting to be closer to home, I moved to Moorhead and served Our Savior’s Lutheran Church as Secretary and Director of Education.

I married G.L. Lorentzen of Fosston and joined Hope Lutheran Church and was active in the children’s and women’s programs. G.L. died in 1972.

In later years, my dream of becoming a rosemaler came true. My husband, Walt Stadstad, built a small log cabin, “The Hytta”, and we started a small business from there. Earlier, Walt had set up shop and made most of the pieces to be rosemaled. Hundreds of friends are enjoying the beautiful, artistic paintings in their homes. We retired on our ‘little farm’ until Walt’s death in 1990. We enjoyed our travels to Norway, California, Texas, Florida, and other places.

I lived in Country Place, Erskine, MN before going to Pioneer Care Center and then McIntosh Senior Living. I enjoyed being there and the wonderful care I got. I made many great friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, her brothers Arthur and Paul, and her sister Julia. She is survived by many wonderful friends and family.