Louise Haarstad

Louise Haarstad, 91, Abercrombie, ND passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. The funeral service will be on Monday, October 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Abercrombie, ND with Rev. Ken Kirchenwitz officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 PM to 7 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, ND and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Abercrombie. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Mildred Louise Haarstad was born on July 1, 1921 to Earl and Helen (Horst) Cottingham in Winfield, KS. She grew up and attended grade school there until the family moved to Hutchinson, KS where she graduated from high school. Soon after, Louise's family moved to Pueblo, CO where she spent her young adulthood. She met her future husband, Oscar Haarstad on a double date while he was stationed with the Army at nearby Camp Carson. After Oscar returned from serving during WWII they were united in marriage on February 23, 1946 at Tabor Lutheran Church in Pueblo.

Louise and Oscar then moved to Abercrombie where along with his brother Selmer established a Ford dealership where they also sold Case and Oliver farm equipment. They operated that business for many years until they retired in the early 1990's. Oscar passed away on November 21, 2002 and Louise continued to reside in Abercrombie.

Louise was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She was also active in many different activities including the ND Silver Haired Legislative Assembly, Richland County Senior Citizen Board, bookkeeper for the Abercrombie Fire Department, area organizer of the Bloodmobile, active in the Abercrombie Community Club, and was a member of the Abercrombie Legion Auxiliary since 1946.

Louise loved cooking and baking and a birthday never passed without one of her angel food cakes. Louise enjoyed people and especially her family, which was her pride and joy.

Louise is survived by her son, Douglas (Gail) Haarstad, Abercrombie, ND; her grandsons, Nigel Haarstad and his special friend, Timothy Bill, Lexington, KY, Julian Haarstad, Abercrombie, ND; many nieces and nephews; her lifelong friend, Beth Craig, Hutchinson, KS; and her helpful neighbor, Merle Burshiem, Abercrombie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Helen Cottingham; her husband, Oscar Haarstad; her brothers, Weldon and Wesley Cottingham, and her brother-in-law, Selmer Haarstad.