Obituary: Alice Hofstad

Alice Hofstad, 84, of Battle Lake, MN peacefully passed January 10th at Suite Living, Brooklyn Park, Mn. 

Alice Corine Hastad was born in Longmont, Colorado on June 10, 1939 to Rev. Iver and Adelaide (Winge) Hastad. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church by her father. Alice started kindergarten in 1944. In 1945, her father left to serve as an officer in the Red Cross, stationed in the Philippines and Japan. Alice, her brother John and Mother stayed with her grandfather in Madison, Mn during the war. Following the war, the family moved to Elk Point, SD, where her father served two churches, Immanuel and Brule Creek. Alice started high school at Augustana Academy in Canton, SD. There she started her dormitory living and singing in a 70 voice choir, the beginning of her 60 year joy of singing the gospel. After a one-year stint at Augustana College, she completed a three-year RN program at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital. In 1961 Alice married her high school boyfriend, David Hofstad. Shortly thereafter, David’s National Guard unit was called up to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Alice got her first “real” job there in the nursery. She worked every year until her retirement in 1998.

In 1965 they moved to Reedsburg, WI where David taught art and Alice worked at the hospital and clinic. During these years, they had three sons, Mark, Philip and Eric. Several jobs which were rewarding beyond the greatest joys and family and music were teaching the Bethel series for 9 years (120 classes!) Many other events with people and the Gospel enriched Alice’s life. Alice took great pride in being the library’s chairperson when the new library was being planned and built. She also participated in many other community activities. While in Battle Lake, Alice was on the church building committee, intern committee and visitor of the elderly.

Alice is survived by sons Mark (Kristin), Philip, and Eric (Rebekah). Grandchildren Blake, Gage, Henry, Mikal, Jakob, and Hannah, one brother John, and sister Ann (Tom) Rasmusson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David, brother-in-law Paul Loddigs and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ekola.

A memorial service will be held in the spring. Condolences may be sent to: Alice Hofstad C/O Mark Hofstad, 1312 Liberty Drive, Northfield, MN 55057