Violet (Ley) Dyrstad, age eighty-nine, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at her home in Nelson Gables.
Vi was born July 3, 1928 to Rudy and Nora Ley. She spent eight years at country school #77, and later graduated from Alexandria High School in 1946. Vi was employed at Alexandria Lumber Company, where she met Donald Dyrstad. They were united in marriage in 1948 at the "old" First Lutheran Church on the corner of 13th and Fillmore. Vi was busy with her family of four children, working at H. Boyd Nelson's and also Douglas County Courthouse for many years. Don passed away in 1979, and Vi purchased Lakes Motel, (with not a penny in her pocket). She also owned Skyline Motel.
Vi was a good cook, she made everything, from lefse to krumkaka and caramel rolls, her son said she made the best chocolate chip cookies in Douglas County! She loved to sew, crochet, knit and make quilts. Her hands were always busy making gifts for her family. Her saying was "I never charge my family," and she never did. Vi volunteered her time for many years at Knute Nelson Memorial Home and Senior Center.
She is survived by her children, Ken Dyrstad, Curt (Diane) Dyrstad, Carol (Kevin) Larsen and Connie (Rick) Rosengren; three granddaughters, Amanda (Chris) Szczodroski, Jennie (Paul) VonderHaar and Katie Jo Rosengren; four grandsons, Josh (Sheila) Dyrstad, Ryan (Katherine) Rosengren, Riley (Nicole) Rosengren and Tony (Janie) Dyrstad; and twelve great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; brother, Milton Ley; Diane Dyrstad - Ken's wife, nephew, Keith Ley; and grandson, Jeremiah Dyrstad.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home. Vi's cremated remains were laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery that day. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.
Vi was a good cook, she made everything, from lefse to krumkaka and caramel rolls, her son said she made the best chocolate chip cookies in Douglas County! She loved to sew, crochet, knit and make quilts. Her hands were always busy making gifts for her family. Her saying was "I never charge my family," and she never did. Vi volunteered her time for many years at Knute Nelson Memorial Home and Senior Center.
She is survived by her children, Ken Dyrstad, Curt (Diane) Dyrstad, Carol (Kevin) Larsen and Connie (Rick) Rosengren; three granddaughters, Amanda (Chris) Szczodroski, Jennie (Paul) VonderHaar and Katie Jo Rosengren; four grandsons, Josh (Sheila) Dyrstad, Ryan (Katherine) Rosengren, Riley (Nicole) Rosengren and Tony (Janie) Dyrstad; and twelve great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; brother, Milton Ley; Diane Dyrstad - Ken's wife, nephew, Keith Ley; and grandson, Jeremiah Dyrstad.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home. Vi's cremated remains were laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery that day. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.
