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Elnoris Kjerstadof Rapid City, South Dakota, formerly of Quinn, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 4, 2010
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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
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.