Lincoln Jerstad

Lincoln J. Jerstad, 85, Fargo, ND passed away on August 24, 2007 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Lincoln was born on May 15, 1922 to Ole and Edna Jerstad in Finley, N.D. Lincoln graduated from Finley High School and worked on the family farm until enlisting in the US Navy on December 11, 1942. During World War II, he served as an Athletic Specialist at several duty stations including aboard the USS Orion (AS 18). After leaving the Navy in 1946, Lincoln returned to the family farm. He received an undergraduate degree in Education from Mayville Teachers’ College, a Masters’ Degree in Education and an Education Specialist Diploma from the University of North Dakota. Lincoln coached basketball, football, and baseball while teaching secondary education in Edgeley, Mapleton, Hewitt, and Dunseith. He married Phyllis Wald from Edgeley, North Dakota on June 5, 1951. Lincoln served as the Superintendent of Schools in Dunseith North Dakota from 1961 to 1969. He then moved to Grand Forks where he became an instructor in the Department of Education and Federal proposal writer, working primarily with Native American Programs, at the University of North Dakota. Lincoln retired from the University of North Dakota in 1989. He and Phyllis moved to Fargo in 2000, where he resided until his death. Lincoln’s interests included travel, baseball, music, politics, and ice cream. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; a son, Robert (Tina) Jerstad of Des Moines, IA; two daughters, Lori (Steve) Anderson and Kari (James) Coler both of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren, Nicholas and Scott Anderson, and Ava Jerstad; and two siblings, a brother, Melvin Jerstad of Fargo, ND, and a sister, Evelyn Brovald of New England, ND. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Floyd Jerstad of Finley, ND and Odean Jerstad of Norwalk, CA. Funeral: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo, ND. Visitation: Monday, August 27, 2007 from 5-7PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Prayer Service: Monday, August 27, 2007 at 7PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND. The family requests that in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Humane Society of Fargo in Lincoln’s name.