Vernie M. Alvstad

Vernie Mae Alvstad, 94, of Ashby, died on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Evansville Care Campus, surrounded by family.

Vernie was born May 20, 1931, on a farm outside Hawley MN to Vivian & Melvin Nordquist. She was baptized and confirmed at Eksjo Lutheran Church, Lake Park MN. They didn’t have much but she enjoyed playing with her younger sister Evelyn. Vernie attended District 7 Country School, Hawley, through eighth grade, then went to high school at NW School of Agriculture, Crookston, graduating in 1949 with honors. She was an avid reader and loved history and home EC classes.

After high school she moved to Fargo, working at Knerr Dairy as a bookkeeper and DeLendrecie’s Department store. There she met Lyle Alvstad. They married June 11, 1950 at Eksjo Church. For the first couple years they moved to where Lyle was working in lath-plastering before buying the family farm outside Ashby, originally owned by Lyle’s great grandfather Ole Abrahamson in 1867.

After Sue and Steve came along they moved to Moorhead, where Vernie was the bookkeeper for Lyle’s growing Lath & Plaster business. After 10 years in Moorhead, and with 3 more kids-Sandy, Nancy & David, they decided to move back to the farm in 1967. Together they had a dairy operation before Lyle became Grant County commissioner. In 1983 they moved to Sandy Point Road after selling the farm to son Steve.

In 2001, Lyle & Vernie moved into Ashby. After Lyle entered the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls a few years later, Vernie moved across the street from the VA to be close to him. She volunteered at the VA for over 8 years, being honored with Most Volunteer Hours in 2014. A few years after Lyle passed she moved to Alexandria, then the Ashby Living Center, and in Dec of ‘24 she transitioned into the Evansville Care Campus.

Vernie & Lyle enjoyed visits with relatives, friends, and neighbors. The coffee was always on, and Vernie had delicious baked treats ready. She was an excellent baker, especially for the holidays and family gatherings.

Vernie & Lyle loved road trips, whether local or around Minnesota or the Dakota’s. Even though Vernie didn’t drive until close to 75, she was a natural navigator long before Google maps. She could remember almost every road she had ever been on, complete with landmarks. Vernie especially enjoyed Scandinavian and early American history, as well as local and pioneer history, so many of their trips were to historical sites. They also traveled twice to Norway.

Vernie was considered a resident expert in genealogy and ancestry. She was good to visit cemeteries, clip obituaries, and do research at the library, all to connect the family ties. She was eager to help others with their family trees as well. Vernie authored “From Norway to America: Alvstad & Rustad” in 1993, and was a resource for a Nordquist family history on her dad’s side. Vernie also contributed to the Ashby Centennial book in 1979.

Vernie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, and served many years in the Ladies Aid. The family extends a special thank you to all the compassionate caregivers who cared for Vernie in her time of need, and especially the care of Douglas County Hospice.

She is survived by her five children, Susan Risbrudt, Alexandria, Steven Alvstad, Ashby, Sandra Alvstad (Ron Garcia), Ruston WA, Nancy Alvstad (Mat Kakac), Alexandria and David (Jamie) Alvstad, Cannon Falls; five grandchildren, Christine (Ron) Redon, Jill (Scott) Hash, Regina (Lukas) Brott, Kacie (Ryan) Schulz and Danielle (Caleb) Hamilton; along with 12 Great-Grandchildren, Evan and Daniel Redon, Johanna, Weston, Silas, Hayes and Elisha Brott, Fletcher and Arlo Schulz, Cal, Skyler and Hank Hamilton and numerous family and friends.

Preceded in death by, Husband Lyle, sister Evelyn Sutton, son-in-law Chris Risbrudt, great granddaughter, Ada Brott; and all Lyle’s brothers and sisters: Carl & Marcus Alvstad, Grace Waugh, Mae Wick, Ellen Ward, Edna Strom, Lillian Svendson. Vernie is the last of the aunts in the Eric & Mina family. She is also proceeded in death by several nephews and nieces, and special friends

Paul & Carlton Rustad.

Celebration of Life: 2:00 P.M., Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Rev. Julie Nitz

Interment: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby, MN

Funeral arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.