Noralf Thomas Barstad
September 17, 1938 ~ May 11, 2023
Noralf T. Barstad, 84, Brandon, SD, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Avantara Norton Nursing Home in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 9:30 ~ 11am at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a Funeral Service beginning at 11am with Military Honors to follow. Burial will follow in Trinity Cemetery, Steen, MN. A link to view live beginning at10:30am is following https://youtube.com/live/b2UzcW1UbKE?feature=share
Noralf Thomas Barstad was born on September 17, 1938, to Simon and Petra Barstad in Luverne, MN. Noralf attended country school and then graduated from Luverne Public High School in 1956. He joined the Army National Guard and served for 8 years becoming a Staff Sergeant. Noralf married Irene Kitchenmaster on July 7, 1963. They had one son, Matthew. They farmed near Luverne, MN, and he also worked at A. R. Wood Manufacturing in Luverne, MN, and Elston Manufacturing in Sioux Falls for 17 years.
Unfortunately, Irene passed away in July, 2001, at the age of 59, from cancer. In August, 2002, Noralf married Berniece Jansma. They lived in Luverne and later moved to Independent Living at Bethany Meadows in Brandon, SD.
Noralf enjoyed farming and was a very proud Norwegian. He enjoyed going to the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, ND, attending quartet concerts, and completing odd projects around the farm.
Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife, Berniece (Jansma) Barstad, Brandon; his son, Matthew (Shaley Cullen) Barstad, Spencer, IA; Berniece’s children, Burdell (Tylene) Jansma, Beaver Creek, MN, Barb (Greg) Niessink, Brandon, and Beth (Brad) Rip, Sunnyside, WA; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Noralf is preceded in death by his first wife, Irene (Kitchenmaster) Barstad; parents, Simon and Petra (Gunnarson) Barstad; his sister and brother-in-law, Sigrid and Arlyn Severtson; and Berniece’s one son, Brian Jansma.
Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy are sent to you. May God grant you strength, comfort and peace.
We were saddened to hear the news of Noralf’s passing. Our prayers are with Matt, Berniece and their families.
Our family has many memories of Noralf, our cousin Irene and Matt from our childhoods. Visits to their farm were always fun and we enjoyed being in their company. We are grateful for those memories. We are also grateful for Noralf and Berniece’s continued relationship with our parents, Don and Myrna Spease, over the years. They made life fuller for our parents through their friendship. Thank you!
Rest in peace Noralf.
Bernie and family – So sorry for your deep loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days. Sending deepest sympathy.
Sending our sympathies during this time of sadness. From Irene’s Canadian cousin, Lorna