Gary Krogstad, 85
Gary Duane Krogstad went to his heavenly home on May 3, 2025, at the age of 85.
Gary was the only son of Elmer and Ethel (Lund-berg) Krogstad, born on Nov. 14, 1939. He spent his growing up years in the Kennedy area. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1957. He then spent a year at the Area Vocational School in Thief River Falls, Minn.
In the spring of 1960, he took a job as office manager for Nowacki Oil Co in Stephen, Minn. He held this job for 30 years. In March of 1962, the army was calling. He then joined the North Dakota National Guard. He spent six years with the guard, attending monthly weekend meetings and summer camps. He was discharged in April 1968.
In the spring of 1962, his cousin, Linda, thought he needed a girlfriend and introduced him to the love of his life – Norella Mae Solum of Thief River Falls. They married Aug. 1, 1964, and celebrated 60 years last August. Gary and Norella had one son, Michael, who was born Nov. 10, 1965.
In 1966, his employer offered a change that allowed him to farm a little. He rented a small farm and farmed with his father. In 1991, his job ended in Stephen and Gary and Norella moved back to his home farm. He retired from farming in 2003. They sold the farmstead in 2012 when they moved to Hallock. Norella is currently in the Kittson Healthcare Nursing Home in Hallock.
Gary is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Norella; his son, Michael, and his wife, Jody, who reside in Lake Jackson, Texas. Gary and Norella have five grandchildren – Ashley, Morgan (Joseph), Leighton (Lianne), Sabrina (Dylan), and Hayden (Sydney); and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many others who love and care for him.
Gary was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Kennedy.
There will be a service held in memory of Gary on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Time to be determined at a later date. Everyone is welcome.
Arrangements are being handled by Austin Funeral Home. www.austinfuneralchapel.com.
Gary loved the Lord and was a faithful witness to the end. If you talked to him in the last few weeks of his life he boldly stated, “My name is written in heaven, and I am going there…is your name written there?” He was ready to see his Lord.
