Lee "Duke" Eystad

The memorial service for Lee “Duke” Eystad will be Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly, Minnesota, with Reverend Michael Nelson officiating. Visitation will be on Friday at Pedersen Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be a Reque “Frog Lake” Cemetery, Alberta, Minnesota.

Lee Stanley “Duke” Eystad was born on August 1, 1947 in Graceville, Minnesota to Melvin and Donna (Root) Eystad.  He was baptized on January 31, 1953 at First Lutheran Church in Morris and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alberta.  Lee attended school in Morris through the 6th Grade and Junior High in Alberta.  Duke grew up on the family farm south of Morris where he helped neighbors farm and helped with the trucking business. Duke was united in marriage to Donna M. Gillespie on September 11, 1971 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio, Minnesota. They made their home in Donnelly where they raised their two sons: Jacob and Marty.  On January 1, 1992, Duke took over the business from his father, later forming Eystad Trucking, Inc. on July 23, 1998.  Duke retired in June 2012 due to his health.  All Duke did is work!

Duke had a love for animals; especially horses, long horn cattle, cats and Abby and Hunter, his granddogs.   Duke was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly.

Duke died early Monday morning, July 9, 2018 at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 70 years.

Duke is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna of Donnelly; sons: Jacob (Mindy) of Donnelly and Marty (Sam Kendall) of Donnelly; three grandchildren: Aryn of Fargo, North Dakota, Lee and Garrett of Donnelly; sisters: Jan (Noel) Johnson of Anoka, Kahla (Glen) Gillespie of Alberta, Laurie (Rick) Rollman of Lititz, PA; brothers: Calvin (Lavena) Eystad of Hancock, Jamey (Kathy) Eystad of Donnelly, Robert (Bernie) Eystad of Donnelly; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of arrangements.