Bobby Lofstrand

Bobby Lofstrand, age 88, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Tuesday, December 24th, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1st, at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Lengby with the Rev. John Ragan officiating. Interment will be in Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lengby, in the spring. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Bobby Keith Lofstrand was born on October 12, 1931 on the family farm near Lengby, MN to Henning and Lillian (Otness) Lofstrand. He attended school at the Klinke County School until he was 15 when he started a logging and cattle operation. He joined the army in 1953 and served in the Korean War and in Tokyo as a military policeman.When he returned he married his hometown sweetheart, Mavonne (Vonny) Swanson in May of 1955. They lived and worked in Minneapolis until 1958 when they returned to the family farm.Bobby was a livestock man raising cattle and hogs and also small crops. He also had a career as a Rural Letter Carrier for the Lengby area. He enjoyed the interactions with people that job brought.

He was active in community activities and never wanted to miss anything. He served on the Wild Rice Electric Cooperative and the Minnkota Power Boards from 1973 until 2003. Other boards included the Fosston Utilities and the Fosston Hospital board. He was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. The Fridhem Church was an important part of his life and he was active in all aspects of church life, council, financial and the sexton of the graveyard. He loved local history and had a knack for remembering people and events throughout his life.In 2003 Bob and Vonny moved to Fosston. They enjoyed traveling with trips to Scandinavia, Europe and the U.S. Many of these trips were taken with dear friends Peggy and Allard Christianson. They also had a 5th wheel camper which they pulled around the U. S. taking in the sights and history of America. In 1994 they got a summer place on Fishhook Lake near Park Rapids and enjoyed summers there until 2018.Bob loved the outdoors; hunting, snowmobiling, boating and walking. All of Fosston know him as the guy who is always out walking. When necessary he walked on his treadmill indoors. Watching sports, country music concerts, and reading the Minneapolis Tribune especially the political and financial pages. He enjoyed visiting and coffee with friends and strangers and trips to the sale barn in Bagley. He always took the opportunity to go somewhere and be with people.

His family was a source of joy and pride. He was the keeper of his mother's scrapbooks, photos and family history. He would spend winter days happily occupied with trips down memory lane. His daughters and their families were truly the source of much happiness. He enjoyed watching the grandkids participate in sports and musical events.On the morning of December 24, 2019 Bobby passed away at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Bobby is survived by his wife Vonny, of 64 years, of Fosston, MN. Daughters, Becky (Mark) Ratchenski of Cavalier, ND, Beth Hemming of Grand Forks, ND.Grandchildren, Lily (Alex) Flage, Matthew (Kaitlin) Ratchenski, Nathan Hemming (Michaela Spaulding) and Noah Hemming and two great granddaughters, Lauren and Olivia Flage. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by siblings Eileen Sandall, Lee Lofstrand, Kenny Lofstrand, and Carol Floren.