Viola Rostad, 88, Fergus Falls, MN

Viola Rostad, 88, of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at Golden Living Center in rural Battle Lake.

She was born Feb. 6, 1920, in Barney, N.D., to Cliffton and Alice (Claypool) Adams. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School as salutatorian of her class in 1938.

She married Maynard Rostad and they lived in Battle Lake and then Aurdal Township where Viola was a housewife and mother. She was also a partner with United Farm Agency Real Estate and Rostad Insurance Agency of Fergus Falls.

After her husband’s death in 1961, she attended the Community College in Fergus Falls and Moorhead State University where she received a BS degree in library science. She also raised two of her children who were still at home during this time. She did graduate work at the University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, Bemidji State University and Brigham Young University.

Viola taught English in Keewatin, and later at Chisago Lakes Public School in Chisago City, where she was the librarian. She also taught genealogy community classes at Lindstrom, Forest Lake and North Branch.

In 1985, she retired and moved to Long Lake north of Fergus Falls. Due to health concerns she moved into Fergus Falls and entered the Golden Living Center in rural Battle Lake in April 2004.

She was a member of Woodland Baptist Church where she was active in Gideons and helped support missions. Viola loved the Lord. She enjoyed reading, Bible study and doing genealogy. She traveled throughout the world to study her relatives and past history.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; a daughter, Ruth Peterson; a son, Kenneth Rostad; brothers, Arlie, Clinton, Ladd and Delbert Adams; and sisters, Mildred Seeba and Marcie Peterson.

She is survived by a daughter, Leola (Willy) Campell of Pine City; sons, Leonard (Marge) Rostad of Fergus Falls, Grant (Sallie) Rostad of Poway, Calif., and Mark Rostad of Battle Lake; 21 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a sister, Charmoin (Arnold) Larson of Fargo; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service

Service: 11 a.m. Monday, at Woodland Baptist Church, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Rob Kelley

Burial: Lakewood Cemetery, Battle Lake

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

n Condolences may be sent online at www.glendenilson.com