Omar A. Bjornstad

Omar Anthony Bjornstad, 90, passed away on January 1, 2018 after a brief illness at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital, Langdon, ND. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. the Walhalla Lutheran Church, Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held on Friday January 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Interment will be at the Big Pembina Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Pembilier Nursing Center, Walhalla, ND.

Omar was born on July 8, 1927 to Martin and Lydia (Amundson) on the family farm overlooking the Pembina Gorge west of Walhalla. Omar was the oldest of seven children and lived his entire life on the family farm, which had been homesteaded by his grandfather in the 1800's.

Omar and Julia (Boe) first met as youth in church and were married on August 19, 1950 and 67 years later they were still best friends and inseparable. Omar and Julia raised four children. Uncle Peter came with the farm and he continued to reside with the family until the 1970's. Omar was a partner in the farming operation know as Bjornstad Brothers with his brothers Donnie and Ardell. They grew a variety of crops including certified seed potatoes. While farming was his profession, his true passion in life was his faith and his family. His love for his family reached beyond his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and included all members of his and Julia's family including his church family. Omar was the oldest living member of Big Pembina Lutheran Church and was seldom, if ever, not in attendance with Julia and perhaps some visiting family members. Omar was known for his tireless ambition and kindness. Even as a 90 year old, he always kept his yard, in the shadow of his beloved aging white barn, finely manicured. His "stable" of three John Deere riding mowers and his golf cart was something he took great pride in. His kindness was self-evident in the way he lived his life. He never said an unkind word about anyone. His deep faith was a testament to him and he set an example throughout his life for others to admire. Just recently, Omar was discussing how in the 1930's, his family went for two consecutive years with no crops to harvest. These life lessons, learned at an early age, taught Omar the value of being frugal, and living the simple life.

Omar was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and was an accomplished at baking lefse, flatbread and other goodies, especially during the holiday season.

Omar is survived by his wife, Julia; children: David and Kathy (Johnson) Grand Forks, Mark and Erika (Schurman) Walhalla, Mary Jane and Alan O'Neil, Grand Forks, Steve and Jane (Thompson), Walhalla; 12 grandchildren: Kris (Jeramy), Kallie (Danny), Kyle (Kim), Jeff (Joshlyn), Travis (Shannon), Rebecca (Sam), Joel (Megan) Leigh Ann (Matt), Jackie, Ellie, Maddie, Charlie and nine great-grandchildren: Brendyn, Brody, Miles, Jadyn, Gavin, Austin, Karley, Brexten, Hannah; sisters: Muriel Rogelstad, Eileen Etterman, Laurie (Luther) Anderson, Judy (Jerry) Halvorson; sister-in-law, Eunice Bjornstad, and one brother, Ardell.

Omar was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald and two brothers-in-law, Alfred Rogelstad and Richard Etterman