Gordon Lyle Sonstelie, 71, rural Erskine, Minnesota died at his home on Union Lake, Saturday, April 3, 2010.

Gordon was born April 16, 1938 near Winger, Minnesota the son of Gerhard and Evelyn (Gunning) Sonstelie. He was raised on the family farm near Winger and attended country school there. Gordon graduated from McIntosh High School with the class of 1956. As a young man, he worked on the Iron Range for a short time before joining the Merchant Marines where he worked on ships traveling throughout the Great Lakes. In 1960, he entered the Air National Guard. That year he also returned to the Winger community and began farming on his own. On December 16, 1961 Gordon was united in marriage to Shirley Pederson in Fosston, Minnesota. They made their home on their farm near Winger for over 30 years. In 1993, they built a home on Union Lake where they have lived since. Gordon loved farming and raising cattle and was still very active in that business along with his son. During the 1990's he was a board member and later employed with AURI in Crookston.

Other than his farming, Gordon enjoyed studying his family history and in doing so made five trips to Norway. He enjoyed playing golf and always had time for coffee with his friends. For over thirty years, he could be found each November out west hunting elk with his friends. Gordon also loved spending time with his family whether at the farm or at the lake. He also had a pilot's license and was a member of a flying club in Fosston and in his younger years had driven racecars in the area.

Gordon was always active in his community and was involved with several organizations. He served on several boards and in local organizations including the PCA board, Winger Township board, Winger Lions, Farmers Coop Co. of Winger board, Farmers-Bank board of Winger, and the Calvary church board, most recently serving as church president. Currently Gordon was a board member of the Sandhill Watershed and Adjutant of the American Legion Post 200 of Winger. Gordon was also a past president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers.


He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Erskine; one daughter, Lori (David) Heideman of Moorhead, Minnesota; two sons, Gary (Jill) of Winger, and Mark (fiancée Mykal Nester) of Fargo, North Dakota; one brother, Arvid (Carol) of Moorhead; two sisters, Marie Ripp East of Grand Forks, Minnesota, and Karen (Luther) Jacobson of Burnsville, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Dianne Sonstelie of Winger; six grandchildren: Lauren, Joshua and Austin Heideman, and Kory, Kyle and Kara Sonstelie.


Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Rodney; one sister, Arlene; and one brother-in-law, Jim Ripp.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 7th at 11:00am in the Calvary Lutheran Church, Winger. Visitation will be at the church Tuesday from 5:00pm until 7:00pm with a prayer service at 6:30 and one hour before services. Pastor Nathan Baker-Trinity will officiate and Pastor Gerald White will give a special message. Serving as the reader will be David Heideman. Music will be provided by Nathan and Jennifer Baker-Trinity with Carol Stordahl serving as pianist. The pallbearers will be Floyd Balstad, Roger Buchholz, Steve Vesledahl, Byron Kaupang, David Haugo, Albert Plante, and Carsten Zahl. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Lauren Heideman, Joshua Heideman, Austin Heideman, Kory Sonstelie, Kyle Sonstelie and Kara Sonstelie. Interment will be in the Sandhill Cemetery.