Phyllis Vivian Bostad, 94
Phyllis Vivian Bostad was born on June 17, 1928 in Stokes Township, Roseau County, Minn.
She was the daughter of Ted and Hilda (Sander) Bagstad. She was baptized at Opdahl Lutheran Church and confirmed on June 11, 1944 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Badger, Minn.
Phyllis attended Fox School District #46 and graduated as senior class president from Badger High School in 1946. Following high school, she worked in the Roseau area as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide. Learning of a better nursing opportunity, she moved to Hallock, Minn., in 1948 to work at the hospital.
She met Leonard Bostad from rural Kennedy/Teien Township and their shared backgrounds and humor gave them an instant connection. On June 10, 1951, they were united in marriage at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Badger.
Leonard farmed in the summer and they’d live in California and Minneapolis in the winter months where he found other work. Phyllis and Leonard bought and moved a house to the former Solberg homestead in Teien Township where his parents resided. Phyllis loved living in the country and enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens. Being surrounded by trees reminded her of her childhood home. She stopped her nursing career to raise three children and help Leonard on the farm. She would bring meals out to the field as well as drive equipment out in the field when needed. She and Leonard were married for 50 years, they brought their children up in the Lutheran faith and she was a member of Skjeberg Lutheran Church for over 60 years.
Phyllis had an outgoing personality and Leonard’s family quickly became hers. She loved to visit, cook for family and friends, decorate and had a zest for life.
After Leonard passed away in 2002 she lived on the farm for 11 years. After losing much of her vision, her family moved her to Barnesville, Minn., where she lived for 10 years.
Phyllis was engaging and inquisitive but above all, had a great sense of humor; this blessed her with many good friends throughout her lifetime.
Phyllis is survived by her son Gary (Mary Cooney), Kennedy, Minn.; daughter Gail (Chuck) Cullian, Longmont, Colo.; daughter Gwen (Rob) Johnson; grandchildren Anica (Scott) Myer (and two great-grandchildren), Janesville, Minn.; Soren Bostad, Crosby, N.D., Kendra Cullian, Longmont, Colo; Kim (Curtis) Cullian, Longmont, Colo.; Alex Johnson, Fargo, N.D. and Andre Johnson, Fargo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leonard; her brother Dale; a niece and several in-laws.
Phyllis broke free from cancer pain on a beautiful sunny day, Sunday, March 26, in the care of Valley Care and Rehab and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Services will be held at Skjeberg Lutheran Church, rural Drayton, on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 4 p.m. with visitation at 3 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at Austin Funeral Home, Hallock, Minn.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.
