Obituary: Elnoris Kjerstad

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In memory of

Elnoris Kjerstad

of Rapid City, South Dakota, formerly of Quinn, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at his home in Rapid City at the age of 90

Elnoris was born January 10, 1920 at the ranch northeast of Quinn to Emil Sr. and Gurine (Ellingsen) Kjerstad. He grew up in the Quinn area and attended the Kruse Country School through the eighth grade and then attended high school in Quinn for six weeks. He then became employed by Knute Tennyson helping run his grocery and creamery store. He eventually purchased the creamery from Knute and also bought a freight line from Frank Gregson. After a few years, he sold them both to Cecil Kruse. His dad gave him 160 acres of farm ground and planted his first crop of winter wheat.

Elnoris was united in marriage to Ila Bean on June 14, 1941 in Rapid City, SD and to this union two sons were born: Jerald “Jerry” and Richard “Dick”. They resided north of Quinn. In 1946 they moved to Rapid City where Elnoris did carpentry work for three years. They moved back to the ranch and he started building homes in the surrounding area. Later in life, he started his bee business which he continued for 25 years.

Elnoris served as a director for the Federal Land Bank in Rapid City for eighteen years. He was on the Extension Advisory Board for the state of South Dakota for two years, Pennington County Extension Board for twenty years, and was a leader of the Riding Ranchers 4-H club for twenty years. He was a member of the Western Jr Livestock Show and served as president. He is a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Naja Shriners where he served as president of the Four Rivers Shriners. Elnoris and Lyndell Peterson were the founders of the Good Neighbor Award. He was also a lifetime member of the Western South Dakota Buckaroos.

Elnoris had a lifelong love of music, especially his fiddle. He enjoyed playing for his grandchildren, great- grandchildren and for dances. His other joys included hunting, fishing, gardening and working in his fruit orchard.

Elnoris enjoyed his family very much. His wife Ila passed away in 2006. He later married Victoria Robertson. They made their home in Quinn and spent winters in Arizona and currently resided in Rapid City. They enjoyed spending time working the fruit trees and taking care of the bee operation. They continued to enjoy music, fishing and golfing, hobbies they both enjoyed together.

Elnoris was a member of the Wall United Methodist Church.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Victoria of Rapid City, two daughter-in-laws, Margy Kjerstad of Piedmont and Patty Kjerstad of Wall. Seven grandchildren; Kem Kjerstad and his wife Mary of Rapid City, Jem Kjerstad and his wife Kelly of Quinn, Kent Kjerstad and his wife Stephanie of Quinn, Kevin Kjerstad and his wife Melissa of Redondo Beach, California, Rick Kjerstad and his wife Gianna of Parker, Colorado, Tina Hood and her husband Derek of Star, Idaho, Lisa Evans and her husband Jason of Parker, Colorado; seventeen great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and one step-great-great-granddaughter. In addition he is survived by his two sister-in-laws Evelyn and Mary Kjerstad; his father and mother-in-law Jesse and Cleo Robertson of Rapid City, two step-sons Eric Garcia and Mitch Garcia and his wife Jessica all of Rapid City; two step-granddaughters; and one step-grandson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Elnoris was preceded in death by his wife Ila, their two sons Jerald and Richard, seven brothers; Pete, John, Melvin, Emil Jr, George, Lawrence and Konrad; two sisters; Anna Schreiber and Marie Reiner; and granddaughter in law Rosemary Kjerstad

Visitation was held one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.

Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 10, at the Wall Community Center in Wall, with Pastor Sheri Fadley officiating.

Interment with Masonic rites was held at the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial is established to the Western Junior Livestock Show.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 1:00 p.m.
Wall Community Center
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Sheri Fadley
MUSIC
Dawna Rae Tsitrian - Pianist
Linda Eisenbraun - Vocalist
“Beyond The Sunset”
“In The Garden”
USHERS
Harlan Eisenbraun - Max Hauk
Rod Renner - Gordon Babcock
PALLBEARERS
Kem Kjerstad - Jem Kjerstad
Kent Kjerstad - Kevin Kjerstad
Rick Kjerstad - Derek Hood - Jason Evans
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Dillon Kjerstad - Ryan Kjerstad - Brittany Kjerstad
Krysta Kjerstad - Paige Kjerstad - Quincy Kjerstad
Natasha Kjerstad - Katrina Kjerstad - Tiana Kjerstad
Louis Kjerstad - Elliot Kjerstad
Lauren Olson - Gillian Johnson - Blake Johnson
Sydney Kjerstad - Jenni Kjerstad - Jakob Kjerstad
Katie Evans - Sean Evans - Dawson Hood
INTERMENT WITH MASONIC RITES
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.
Funeral services: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 10, at the Wall Community Center in Wall
Interment with Masonic Rites: Wall Cemetery.

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I was very saddened to hear the news about Elnoris. He was always part of my childhood years whether it was playing cards or hunting with Uncle Tom and him. Some stories could be told. Our daughter Lynn had met him when she was younger but it was only a couple years ago she realized his name was Elnoris Kjerstad - she always thought it was Al Norris. My prayers are with the family during this time of sadness.
Lea & Larry & Lynn Ymker ~ Lea (Willuweit) Ymker Armour SD (11/4/2010)
We are so sorry to hear of Elnoris' passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeff & Anne Jo ~ Jeff and Anne Jo Clark Wall (11/4/2010)
I remember as a child seeing him around the community playing with the bees. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. ~ Fawna Geigle Enid, OK (11/4/2010)
You are in our prayers ~ May your memories give you strength. ~ Lonnie Arneson & Teri Ann Elm Springs, SD (11/4/2010)
Our sympathy on your loss! What a great man! May your memories carry you thru!! ~ Tom and Shelia Trask Wasta SD (11/4/2010)
Elnoris and family are our dear friends. Hunting ,horseback riding and horse buying trips with Elinoris are among my favorite memories. And yes I remember how he loved to tell a story or two or more.
Our best wishes to his family. He will be missed greatly.
Gary ans Judy Yocum ~ Gary Yocum 18450 Trask Rd. Wall,SD (11/4/2010)
We are sorry for your loss! Elnoris was always so friendly to me. He always had a friendly, kidding word to give me every time I saw him, and he always wanted to know what I was up to & what I had been doing. I have fond memories of him! He will be missed! ~ Anita Heathershaw Quinn, S.D. (11/4/2010)
Our sympathies to the Kjerstad Families. ~ Don & Jolene Haynes Philip (11/4/2010)
Our love and prayers go out to the Kjerstad families at this time. Sincerely Susan and Denny Walsh ~ Denny Walsh Miami, FL. (11/4/2010)
Elnoris was a great guy and a good friend. He will be truly missed. We had many good times together in the fifty years that we knew him. ~ Bob & Mattie Sieler 24554 Dakota Sunset Rd. Hermosa, SD 57744 (11/4/2010)
We have the fondest memories of Elnoris and the entire Kjerstad family. They were dear friends when we taught in Quinn High School in 1955-57. Just last summer, Elnoris and Vicky stopped in Sundance to see us and we spent a wonderful time just remembering. The Kjerstads will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Our deepest sympathy to the family. ~ Glen & Jeanne Wyatt Sundance (11/4/2010)
Our sympathies to the Kjerstad families. Often think of Elnoris every time I see a prarie dog town. ~ Dave Summers Craig CO (11/4/2010)
We were sorry so hear of his passing. We got to know Elnoris & the family, by living next door here in Sun City. We learned so much from him during the winter months that he was here. We will miss him very much.
Paul & Jo Anne Olson ~ Paul & Jo Anne Olson Sun City, AZ (11/4/2010)
So sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful man. I remember him from my early days, as I lived near Uncle Elnoris and my cousins, Jerry and Dick, in Rapid City. ~ Stan and Marion Edwards 3825 Anderson Road, Rapid City (11/4/2010)
My Sympathies to Kem and all. You honored my father when he passed and I stiil feel a loss. ~ Arnold Deutscher Rapid City (11/4/2010)
My sisters and I are saddened by the loss of Elnoris. Although I was very young I have fond memories of visiting his ranch. I remember him playing his guitar and telling me there were a couple verses of the"Old Gray Mare" that I was too young to hear. ~ Douglas Hayes Atlantic City, NJ (11/4/2010)