DONNETTA HOISTAD
Donnetta passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead, MN, surrounded by her loving family, and under the care of Sanford Hospice, following a diagnosis of breast cancer.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo – with a gathering one hour prior – everyone is welcome to attend this service – for those unable, it will be live streamed on the funeral home website.
Donnetta Marie Gulsvig was born on October 5, 1934 to Silas & Nora Jeanette (Trygstad) Gulsvig in Kidder SD. She attended schools in Kidder, Forman, California, Park Rapids & Havana. She was married to Virgil R. Hoistad Sr. on December 21, 1952 in Kidder, SD officiated by Rev. Stuart Gulsvig. In the beginning years of their marriage they resided in Anoka & Coon Rapids, MN with three children, moving back to the Hoistad farmstead adding four more children to their family.
She was a member of the Nordland Lutheran Church, serving a term on the church council. Some of her favorite hobbies included drawing, painting, photography and bird watching. Her love of music presented her the opportunity, at the age of 16, to participate in a local talent contest, which she won. The award was to sing a different song every day, for a week on a local Fargo morning show. The award also consisted of her recording a record, singing “Because of You.”
Working part time as a nurses aid at the Forman nursing home brought her much joy, as she shared the Lord’s gift of music, care and compassion to all the residents there. Ultimately, her life revolved around caring for her family, teaching them how to live life with optimism. Even through hard times her smile and singing could be seen and heard. There was never a doubt of her unending love and commitment for her children, which she exhibited time and time again. Every morning her children were awakened with her rendition of the “Good Morning” song, cherished by them, which is now being passed along to her grandchildren.
Donnetta is survived by her loving husband, Virgil Sr., their seven children, Dorreen (Alan) Olstad, Virgil Jr. (Cynthia) Hoistad, Denise (Bill) Huckell, Karen (Jason) Medhaug, Kristine (Mike) Harris, Janelle (Curt) Hansen & Joel (Sandy) Hoistad., 13 grandchildren Curtis (Michele) Olstad, Patrick (Mandy) Olstad, Jeffrey (Callen) Hoistad, Sarah (Steven) Mongeon, Holly (Austin) Taylor, Jared (Natasha) Huckell, Ryan Medhaug, Mason (fiancé Darrien) Harris, Keelan Harris, Derek (Nicole) Hansen, Adam Hansen, Braxten Hoistad, ArieOnna Hoistad, 14 great grandchildren, sisters Verona Martin, Lorretta Enderson as well as five sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Donnetta was preceded in death by her parents, sister Verdell Gulbranson, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at the Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead, MN as well as the Sanford Hospice team.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sanford Hospice Fargo, ND or the Nordland Lutheran Church, Rutland, ND.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com