Manley Gaylord Hillstad, age 95, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, surrounded by his loved ones and under the care of HIA Hospice.

Manley G. Hillstad was born on July 11, 1931, to Menton and Gladys (Halland) Hillstad in Mahnomen. He was baptized and confirmed in Mahnomen. When Manley was 14 years old, his father passed away, leaving Manley to take on a fatherly role for his siblings and help carry on the family farming operations. Manley attended elementary school in Bejou, MN, through the eighth grade before attending Mahnomen High School, where he graduated with the class of 1949. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. After being honorably discharged, Manley attended Bemidji State University for one year before transferring to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, where he earned his degree in electrical engineering.

Manley met Evangelyn “Vangie” Narum at a dance in Bejou, and the two were married on September 3, 1955. In 1957, Manley was hired by Wild Rice Electric as a system engineer and later became general manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. Manley and Vangie made their home in Mahnomen, where they raised their five children: Diane, Duaine, Todd, Jay, and Carrie.

Throughout his years in Mahnomen, Manley was deeply involved in his church and community. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church and gave his time to numerous organizations, including the first planning committee for the Mahnomen County United Fund, Boy Scouts, American Legion Post #31 where he served one year as commander, the Mahnomen School Board, and the Lions Club where he served as chairman. He was also involved with the All-School Reunion Club, Mahnomen Quarterback Club, Flying Club, and Elks, and volunteered with the Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, and the Salvation Army. Manley and Vangie also opened their home to a foreign exchange student, Eithel Cubillo.

In his spare time, Manley loved following his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in any of their activities for church, school, and sports. He also had a love for travel, visiting Norway, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and nearly all of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, after his retirement. Manley enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, playing cards and board games, and an occasional trip to the casino. In his later years, he especially enjoyed singing.

Manley is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Vangie; children: Diane (Bob) Spaeth, Duaine (Colleen) Hillstad, Todd (Laura) Hillstad, Jay Hillstad, and Carrie (Joe) Heisler; 13 grandchildren: Travis (Robyn) Spaeth, Lucas (Jessica) Spaeth, Megan (Michael) Askelson, Isaac (Jessica) Spaeth, Andrea (TJ) Weisenberger, Jason Hillstad, Christina (Jesse) LaCrosse, Katherine (Reed) Struxness, Beth (Dan) Naylor, Jessica (Dan) Claeys, Timothy (Jessica) Liebl, Ryan Liebl, and Jacob (Alise) Liebl; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Quick; brothers, Norris (June), Gorden (Connie), and Reuben (Cathe); stepsister, Nadine (Ron) Schoenborn; stepbrother, LeRoy (Sharon) Berens; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Menton and Gladys; sister, Evie Eickstad; brothers-in-law, Shorty Eickstad and Virgil Quick; son-in-law, Doug Liebl; stepbrother, Marvin Berens; and stepsister, Dorla (Bernie) Kellerhuis.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation starting one hour before, at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, MN. Burial and military honors will follow at First Lutheran Cemetery, Mahnomen, MN.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available on the website.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen Historical Society or St. Michael's School.