Thomas D. Orstad

Thomas D. Orstad, age 51 of Park River, ND, died peacefully at home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Thomas D. Orstad was born August 19, 1964 in Minneapolis, MN the son of Donald and Loretta (Klinicke) Orstad. He attended parochial elementary school and public high schools in Minneapolis, MN. He received his Associates Degree from the Minneapolis Community College and his Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Augsburg College. Thomas was united in marriage to Jill Shoultz on March 21, 1987 in Minneapolis. He started working in finance but later started to do carpentry work. This led to a career in contracting and doing remodeling. The couple moved to Park River, ND in 2001. He worked doing carpentry work until January of 2014 when his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and tinkering in his garage, but most of all he loved spending time with his girls and grandchildren. He has been a proud member of AA for the last 30 years. Thomas is survived by his wife, Jill, of Park River, ND; children: Samantha (Charles) Werner, Upham, ND; Sarah Orstad and fiancé, Casey Dusek, Grafton, ND; Alana Orstad, Park River, ND; his grandchildren: Emma, Noah and Haydn; his mother, Loretta Orstad, Minneapolis, MN; sisters: Jennifer Laurie (Curt Freeman), La Jolla, CA; Holly Neff, Minneapolis, MN; Kelly Rohlf, Minneapolis, MN; brother: Donald "Dino" Orstad, Minneapolis, MN. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his father. Memorial services will be Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 2:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Park River, ND.