Sidney H. Erstad, 88, Ada, MN, died Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley, MN.

Sidney H. Erstad was born on March 17, 1928 to Nils and Asta Erstad of Sundal Township, MN. He was baptized at Sundal Lutheran Church on April 29, 1928. Sidney went to a country school near Sundal, later to Borup Elementary and then a country school near Ada, MN. He obtained his GED in 1964.

Sidney worked for various farmers in the Ada area until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. Following basic training at Fort Riley, KS, he served during the Korean Conflict until 1954 when he was injured. Upon returning from the war he worked at the Ada Feed and Seed. In 1964 he started working at the U.S. Post Office in Ada. In 1975 he transferred to the U.S. Post Office in Wahpeton until transferring again in1978 to the U.S. Post Office in Crookston. There he retired in 1991. All through these years he also worked part-time at Standard Oil, as a freight-hauler, a mower repairman, and at the Norman County Implement. He was also a part-time custodian at Grace Lutheran church. During his retirement, he was happy to work outdoors doing field work for 7 more years.

Sidney continued to live in Ada throughout his life. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Veterans of Foreign War, and the American Legion. He was dedicated to church life attending regular bible studies and especially men's morning bible studies. Sidney enjoyed regular morning coffee and dice with his best friends. He also enjoyed summer travel and lake vacations. Sidney traveled throughout the United States and many times to California to visit family. And, he especially enjoyed day trips and taking the younger grandchildren on many adventures.

On June 16, 1951, Sidney married Ardell Woltjer at First Lutheran (Grace Lutheran) Church. To this union, four children were born: Carey (Gary) Johnston, Angus, MN; Nathan (Peggy) Erstad, Fargo, ND; Jane (Rodney) Backlund, Fargo, ND; and Ruthann (Jim) Svir, Badger, MN. Sidney has 12 grandchildren, Jason (Liane) Johnston, Gretchen (Cory) Schmaltz, Leslie (Brad) Shirek, and Lane (Mindy) Johnston; Erik (April) Erstad, Katie (Brandan) Ressler; Zachary (Jenna) Svir, Raichl (Luke) Ratchenski, and Amy Svir; Dillan, Samantha, and Chase Backlund; 2 step-grandchildren, Nikki (Jeremy) Keller and Jeffrey (Whitney) Wright, 12 great-grandchildren, Callie and Andrew Johnston; Kylie, Adlyn, and Kody Schmaltz; Laney and Claire Shirek; Turner and Sydney Erstad; Aubreyanna and Isabell Ressler; Emma Ratchenski; and 3 step-great-grandchildren, Logan and Berkley Oakstad and Willard Keller.

He is survived by his wife, Ardell and sister, Carol (Alex) Wika.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Asta and Nils Erstad; step-brothers Walter and Myron Erstad; brothers Clifford and Alan Erstad; sisters Nina Pagel and Mildred Brooks, sister-in-law Kay Erstad, and grandson, Jason Johnston.

Funeral: 3:00PM, Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: Thursday from 2:00PM to 3:00PM with a 2:00PM prayer service at the church.

Burial: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.