Erling Lestrud

“Salt of the earth” and “my rock” are terms that people have used to describe Erling Lestrud. While his time on earth ended on October 14, 2023, his legacy of love for family, his helpfulness, and unwavering faith in God are remembered and honored. Born at the Swedish hospital in Minneapolis on August 30, 1946, he was the beloved first child of Syrus Lestrud and Helen (Holt) Lestrud. After a childhood spent on their small dairy farm in Hammond Wisconsin, he went on to earn a B.S. degree from UW River Falls in Agronomy and continue his life’s work on the farm with his brother Murray. He was unfailingly kind to his farm animals and took great interest and care of the wildlife on the farm, even ordering medicine and regularly leaving it out on bread for a fox he noticed that was sick. He grew his crops with these wild animals in mind, never plowing the land in the fall, so that there would be more food and shelter for the wildlife, and the soil would stay healthy. When he married Mary Lynch in 1977, they built a house on the farm, raising their own two children. As an extrovert, Erling liked nothing more than to invite company to his home to share meals and conversation. His favorite hobby was reading books and viewing documentaries on WWI and WWII. He loved his church family at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin and was honored to serve for a time on the Church Council and Board of Trustees. Erling was proud to be 100% Norwegian and traveled to Norway several times, sent his children to Norwegian themed camps, told and recorded stories from the old country passed down by his grandma, and was a 35 year member of Sons of Norway. He is survived by his wife Mary (Lynch) Lestrud, children Bjorn Lestrud and Ingrid Lestrud (Keith McCammon), brother and best friend Murray Lestrud (Rosalie Lestrud), grandchildren Aksel Lestrud McCammon and Finn Syrus Lestrud, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private ceremony is planned for extended family at the Lestrud home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider making a donation to Heifers International, Doctors Without Borders, or Gethsemane Lutheran Church, organizations close to Erling’s heart. Your support will help continue the causes that meant so much to him and ensure his legacy of compassion and generosity lives on.