Burton D. Rockstad, 84, Ada, Minnesota, passed away at home on October 3, 2016.

Burton was born in Ada on June 21, 1932, to Gust and Petra (Ramstad) Rockstad. They raised Burton, along with his sisters and brother, on the farm in Hegne Township. That farm was Burton's home for his entire life. Burton was confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church (rural Hendrum, MN) on November 18, 1945. He attended Franklin Rural School No. 73, and he graduated from Ada High School. After graduation, he started farming full time. In 1955, Burton was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Signal Corps at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After discharge, Burton returned home to the farm and continued farming.

Burton married Lorna Kragnes on August 14, 1960, at Concordia Lutheran Church (rural Kragnes, MN). Together they made a home and raised their three children on the farm. Burton and Lorna were members of Concordia Lutheran Church (rural Hendrum), where he served as Financial Secretary for 30 years, and Treasurer of the Parsonage Corporation for 20 years. After Concordia closed, he and Lorna joined Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, where he also served on the Church Council. Burton served his community. His public service includes nearly 60 years as a Hegne Township Supervisor, and 45 years as a member of the Red River Valley Development Association, representing Norman County. He was a Jaycee, a member of the Board of Directors for the Ada-Beltrami Coop, and a Norman County ASCS Committeeman. Burton strongly supported 4-H youth programs and, in 1990, the Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service honored him with a State 4-H Alumni Recognition Award.

Burton was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marion. He is survived by his wife, Lorna, of Ada; his sons Kent (Kate), Moorhead; Erik (Gretchen), Ada; and Neil (Elizabeth), Ada; his grandchildren Nolan, Greta, Olivia, Ella, Isabelle, Andrina, Gannon, Nora, and Hazel; his sister Shirley Rockstad, Ada; and his brother Howard Rockstad, Thousand Oaks, CA.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to the many caregivers who made it possible for Burton to stay at home during his illness, including a devoted family friend and nurse together with the professionals from Hospice.

Funeral: 11:00am, Monday, October 10, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: Sunday, from 5:00pm-7:00pm with a prayer service at 6:30pm at the church.

Interment: Ada City Cemetery, Ada, MN.