David Thorstad

David Thorstad, age 79, of rural Lengby, MN, passed away on Sunday, August 1st, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 15th, at David’s home south of Lengby (1223 300th Ave., Lengby, MN). All who knew David are welcome to attend. Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston assisted with the arrangements and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

David was born in Thief River Falls October 15, 1941, to Jesse and Hazel (Sorum) Thorstad.  He played oboe and piano throughout his high school years, even playing for dances at places like the Pine Lake Pavilion during the late 1950’s.  He received a bachelor and master degree in French, German, and Scandinavian languages from the University of Minnesota.

David lived a heroic and adventurous life, always working for the betterment of humanity as a teacher, political leader and book editor.  He lived in Paris, New York City and St. Paul before buying his farm south of Lengby in 1999.  There he gardened, growing prize winning garlic and zinnias and tomatoes, canning as many as 200 jars of tomato juice each fall. He continued working for a couple book editors and was the center of a large group of friends whom he cooked famously for on many occasions.

David died of heart complications on August 1st at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.  He is survived by his sister, Kathy Thorstad of Dell Rapids, SD; nieces and nephews, Karrie Richie of Waxahachie, TX, Chris Larson of Valley Springs, SD, Mechelle Posner of Bemidji, MN, Fan Spears of Thief River Falls, MN, and Melissa Ferguson of Riverlea, Hamilton, New Zealand.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles.