Kurt Otto Onstad, 66, of St. Cloud, Minn., (formerly of Spring Grove and Maple Lake) died Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at the St. Cloud VA, with much of his family by his side.
Kurt was born on January 30, 1952, in Spring Grove, to Carleton (Carty) and Beulah (nee Ganrud) Onstad.
He attended Spring Grove Public Schools, excelling in academics, the arts and sports, graduating in 1970. Kurt graduated from the University of MN (Mpls) in 1974 with a double major in Education and spent a few years on the varsity fencing team.
On June 16, 1973, in rural Peterson, Minn., Kurt was united in marriage to Sylvia Viegen, also of Spring Grove. Together, they had a son and a daughter and were able to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary together.
Kurt taught at Maple Lake Public High School for almost two decades. He also enjoyed coaching junior varsity sports, refereeing, directing 3-act plays and leading the student council during those years.
He served on the Maple Lake City Council and was an active member of the Maple Lake Jaycees.
Kurt’s early Christian education was at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove and he later was a founding member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Maple Lake.
Kurt’s hobbies included traveling, flags, trains, sports, history of any kind and trivia. He was very friendly and outgoing his entire life and enjoyed almost any group activity.
Following his teaching career, he became a travel agent in order to better enjoy and share his love of travel with others. Besides traveling extensively throughout the U.S., including several epic journeys covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Kurt visited Canada, Mexico, and numerous countries in the Caribbean and Europe. He also nearly finished his quest to visit every state capital in the U.S., with only Baton Rouge, La., left when he passed away. Several family members brought his cremains there following his death.
In 1979, Kurt joined the Army Reserve Unit in Buffalo, Minn., starting out as the company clerk and eventually became the Commander of that unit after attending Officer’s Training School. He served with several units in Minnesota throughout his over 20-year military career, retiring with the rank of Major, after a medical discharge.
Following his military career, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and valiantly battled that and several other related complications for over 15 years. Kurt was always an excellent patient. He was beloved and exceptionally cared for at the end of his life by the compassionate staff of the St Cloud VA.
Survivors include his wife Sylvia, mother Beulah of Spring Grove; brother Dennis of Wayzata, son Kendrick (Maria) Onstad of Sartell and daughter Kelly (Tim) Kishel of Eveleth; grandchildren Aurora and Carleton Kishel and Jaxton Onstad, a nephew, nieces, aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, all grandparents, a nephew, uncles, aunts and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minn., at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020, with a graveside service with military honors provided by Legion Post 249 at 4 p.m. in the church cemetery. Reverend Lane Zaffke officiating. Cremation Society of Minnesota was in charge of cremation and Roble Funeral Home is assisting the family with final arrangements.