Rodney Wayne Haarstad

Rodney W. Haarstad, age 87, of Alexandria, died on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Diamond Willow, under the care of Hospice of Douglas County.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor Judy Holmen presiding. Inurnment will take place at Geneva Cemetery.

A visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m., until the time of the service.

Rodney Wayne was born on February 27, 1937, to Palmer and Lillian (Skistad) Haarstad in Fergus Falls.  He was baptized on March 28, 1937, and confirmed on September 9, 1951, at Aastad Lutheran Church. He attended Aastad Township District School #118, and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1955. Following his education, Rod moved to Minneapolis where he worked for General Mills and Twin City Automatic. He served in the U.S. National Guard from February 1955 to February 1961. During this time, Rod met his wife, Phyllis Hoyhtya and married on November 26, 1960, at United Lutheran Church in Henning. Following their marriage, he worked at Sears and Mills Fleet Farm in Fergus Falls. In 1965, they moved to Alexandria where he managed Mills Fleet Farm. He then became part owner of the Skelly Gas Station and Truline Alignment Shop and later owned Skelly Bulk Fuel Distribution. For most of his career, he was a licensed steam fitter and plumber and retired in 1998. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Plumbers & Pipefitters Union #126, and NRA. His hobbies included woodworking, reading, and he had a great appreciation for the outdoors where he enjoyed working in his yard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Gene Larson and niece, Tara Larson.

Rod is survived by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis; two sons, Jon Haarstad, and Scott Haarstad both of Alexandria; daughter, Cindy (Allen Mork) Haarstad of Alexandria; four grandchildren, Alexa (Tony) Verhoeven, Blake Haarstad, Nicole Haarstad, and Ashley Haarstad; two great-grandchildren, Tenley and Taya Verhoeven; sisters, Laurice (Chuck) Swenson, and Laureen Larson both of Fergus Falls; and three nephews, Chad Swenson, Mike Swenson, and Troy Larson.

Urn bearers are his grandchildren. Honorary urn bearers are his great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hospice of Douglas County, First Lutheran Church Building Fund, or the Aastad Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund.