Leslie Prestegaard

Leslie Prestegaard, age 91, of Ulen, MN, formerly Moorhead, MN, died Monday, August 18, 2014, at Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Leslie Milton Prestegaard was born March 23, 1923, the son of Louis and Carrie (Myrvold) Prestegord at home in Flom Township, east of Twin Valley. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Leslie attended country school in that area and as a young man, helped his father and their neighbors with farm work. Leslie entered the United States Navy serving his country during WW II, on a ship in the Western Pacific, from 1944 through 1946. After his honorable discharge, he returned to the Twin Valley area. On October 27, 1946, Leslie was united in marriage to Verna Olson at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on a farm east of Twin Valley. Leslie was an active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where he also was the custodian until 1959, when they moved to the Twin Cities. While there, Leslie was employed by Twin City Iron and Wire until 1967. The couple then moved to Moorhead where Leslie was a foreman in the custodial department at Moorhead State University until his retirement in 1988. They continued to live there until residing at the Assisted Living Apartments in Ulen for the past year. Over the years, Leslie enjoyed caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also had an appreciation of the outdoors and gardening. Other favorite pastimes included playing whist, checking out old cars, playing games and going out to dinner. Leslie was also a member of the Moorhead VFW. Leslie is survived by his wife of 67 years, Verna of Ulen; a daughter, Marie (John) Dohm of Lake Park, MN; a son, Mark Prestegaard of Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Peter Bartlette of South St. Paul, MN; sisters-in-law: Arliene Prestegord of Burnsville, MN, Clarice Prestegord of South St. Paul, MN and Joan Prestegord of Philadelphia, PA, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Leroy, Erwin, Kenneth, Selmer, and Sidney; and sisters: Myrtle, Jean, Louise, Thilda, Verna and infants, Minnie, Milford and John. Funeral Services were held on Friday, August 22, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Visitation was Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, Twin Valley and one and a half hours prior to the service at the church on Friday. Officiating was Pastor Al Brooks with Jolee Habedank serving as organist and Karen Bergstrom and Clayton Miller as vocalists. Pallbearers were Ryan Prestegaard, Jonathan Prestegaard, Aaron Prestegaard, Grant Melquist, Kevin Fetzer and Brian Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were his granddaughters, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Military honors were provided by Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien #431 of the American Legion and the MN National Guard Honor Guard. Interment was in Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.

Leslie Prestegaard

March 23, 1923 - August 18, 2014