Larry Merdell Engelstad, age 86, passed away on November 20th. He was born November 4, 1934, in Moorhead, MN to Lars and Synneva (Gunderson) Engelstad. He lived in Moorhead and then Ashby, MN. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1952. Larry joined the Navy serving from 1953-1957. After he got out of service he attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, graduating in 1961. After a year of graduate studies, he moved to Howard Lake, MN where he began teaching mathematics. He taught there for 30 years retiring in 1992.
On July 12, 1958, he married Ruth Ysteboe in Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo. They have had 62 years together.
After retirement Larry & Ruth spent the winter months for two years exploring places in the south. They settled on Park Place Estates in Harlingen, Tx, and have spent 25 winters there.
Larry is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons Steve, Richard (Laura), Gary (Sherree) and Loren (Janel); grandchildren Kristen, Megan, Sara, Carson, Kayla, Ashley, Brandon & Jayden and several great-grandchildren and one brother, Robert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Sidney & Gene) one sister (Doris) sister-in laws (Luverne, Gini, Alyce) and one brother-in–law (Russell Olsen).
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Military honors will immediately follow the service. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, 320-543-3401, www.swansonpeterson.com