Edith Juliet Nerstad

July 21, 1918 - June 7, 2019

Dateline; Spring Grove, MN Edith Juliet (Haugstad) Nerstad of Spring Grove, MN passed away June 7, 2019 at her home in Spring Grove Assisted Living. She was born on her grandparents farm in rural Spring Grove July 21, 1918 to Julius and Emma (Vick) Haugstad. Her parents had recently moved back to Minnesota after homesteading in Isabel, South Dakota. Due to the Great Depression Edith needed to work to help support the family and was unable to attend high school. In 2018 on her 100th birthday she was honored to receive a high school degree from Spring Grove Public School. Edith married James Nerstad on March 4, 1937. Edith and James raised six children and farmed in the Spring Grove area for all of their married life. While farming Edith also worked at the Spring Grove hospital for 13 years as a nurse’s aide. After moving to town she always found time for volunteer work. She spent many hours sewing quilt tops to be donated through Trinity Lutheran Church. In 2006 she was honored to receive two awards: Outstanding Houston County Senior Volunteer and Mest Hoyaktet Dame (Most Honored Lady). She was also a member of Sons of Norway, Legion Auxiliary, past member of the Tweeten Hospital Auxiliary. Edith had a great love of gardening her favorite flower was the Peace Rose and her tulips brought joy to all who saw them each spring. She travelled to Norway twice and greatly enjoyed meeting her Norwegian relatives. She had fond memories of her trip to Hawaii and many bus trips to various parts of the United States. Edith’s greatest joy however was spending time with family. She always had her famous sugar cookies for the kids, “a little lunch” and coffee for the adults. Edith was also dedicated to attending sports and school events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sometimes traveling for hours just to watch a game or concert. She was preceded in death by her son John, who died two days prior, husband James, parents Emma and Julius, two sisters Hazel Moen and Marjorie Moen, and all of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She is survived by two sisters, Carmona Wiste and Elaine Van Minsel, and a brother, Truman Haugstad. Also, by children, Loretta (Lawrence) Knutson, Ronald (Marion) Nerstad, Carol Nerstad, Diane Nerstad, Linda (Steve) Nerstad Kemp, and Elizabeth (Neil) Rowley. Also, 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and13 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove at 11 AM on June 12, 2019. Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, Spring Grove, from 5-7 pm on Tuesday and at 10 AM on Wednesday. The family requests memorials be designated to Trinity Lutheran Church or as donor wishes. Special thanks to the staff and administration at the Spring Grove Assisted Living for her excellent care.