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Allen Kolstad Obituary
His funeral is 2 p.m. Thursday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester, followed by a reception. Burial will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Olaf Cemetery in Ledger, 33 miles south of Chester. Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors are his wife of 56 years, Iva Kolstad of Ledger; two sons, Cedric (Tomi) Kolstad of Mesa, Ariz., and Chris (Vicki) Kolstad of Ledger; a daughter, Cheryl (James) Gagnon of Fort Benton; a son-in-law, Wayne Neill of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three sisters, Doris (Bill) Fraser of Chester, Kay (Sam) Pederson of Westminster, Colo., and Sonja (Dennis) Diemert of Galata; 11 grandchildren and many nephews/nieces.
Allen was born Dec. 24, 1931, in Chester to Henry and Mabel (Webb) Kolstad. He grew up in Chester and graduated from C.H.S. in 1949, then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., for two years.
He married Iva Matteson on Sept. 2, 1951. They moved to a farm south of Chester and began raising their family.
In addition to farming and ranching, Allen loved politics. He was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1968, then to the Montana Senate in 1975, serving on numerous committees during his 20 years in the state Legislature. He was an active Republican in many local, state and national issues, and supported the campaigns of Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and George Bush.
From 1988 to 1991, Allen served as Montana's lieutenant governor during Stan Stephens' administration. In 1990, he ran a hard-fought campaign for the U.S. Senate against the eventual winner, Max Baucus. In 1991, Allen was appointed by President Bush as the U.S. Commissioner to the International Boundary Commission, a position he held until 1993.
The Kolstads enjoyed their winters in Arizona, where Allen volunteered as co-chairman in organizing the annual "Montana Picnic" in Mesa. Allen had been an active member of St. Olaf's Church in Ledger since 1953 and had been a loyal Chester Rotarian for the past 40 years. In the 1970s, he also owned Chester Implement (a John Deere dealership) and Kolstad Grain Company (a grain purchasing business at Lothair).
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, two children, Cary Kolstad and Corrine Neill; and a sister, Hannah Johnson.
Condolences may be posted online at www.mem.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Allen Kolstad
Carrie Linden Wolf
August 20, 2008
Dear Iva,
You and Allen have never been far from my thoughts, even though it's been nearly 20 years.
I was so saddened to hear of Allen's passing. You and your entire family are in my prayers.
Janet McManus
August 17, 2008
Our deepest sympathy is with you all. Allen was a good man.
We had the privilege of meeting with him just a couple of years ago when he came to our family reunion.
He was a good friend, just like we'd known him all our life when it was time to depart.
Janet McManus & Carol Peterson,
Virinda Spencer
August 11, 2008
I wanted you to know how much I have appreciated you and Allan. You were so kind to invite us to your parties even after Gerald had Alzheimer. I will always remember both of your kindness to us.
Chuck Swysgood
August 10, 2008
Iva and Family
It was my pleasure to have served with Allen in the Legislature.I will always remember his wit and smile. He was a friend and will be deeply missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Russ Hall
August 9, 2008
Dear Iva & Family, Although I had only met Alan a couple of times, his staunch support of small town America will never be forgotten. One of his most vocal supporters was my grandmother, Freda Hall, a long-time Postmaster at Ledger. Gra'ma always said, had it not been for Alan, the Ledger Post Office would have closed many, many years before it did. On behalf of all my family, our condolences to all of you.
Greg & Elizabeth Kinder
August 8, 2008
Iva, Chris & Family. You have our deepest sympathy. Allen was quite a guy. We felt privileged to have known him.
Pat Hetland
August 7, 2008
Allen was my first cousin and 2 years younger than I. My first memory was of him chasing me around the yard. He had a lot of energy:)
The next memory was a visit to our home at Thanksgiving time, when a bad blizzard slowed up his trip, but he made it!!
In the last few years, I enjoyed our "relationship" again when my husband and I visited the Kolstad family in Chester. He was so thoughtful to his mother, family, and to us.
We relatives were all proud of what he had accomplished and what he had given back to the "community". We have lost a very special person.
Kathrine Jenkins
August 7, 2008
My deepest sympathy for you and your family.
Hoping your treasured memories of Allan bring you comfort as time passes by.
Donna, Jeff, Ty and Hall Brock
August 6, 2008
Dearest Iva and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Allen. We were blessed to know Allen thru my folks in AZ. When I had children, Allen always had surprises for them and tolerated their shrieking with laughter. We will miss his smile and good nature, his practical joking and his caring manner. His is in a softer place now.
Irene Flesch-Waling
August 6, 2008
Dearest Iva & Family,
I can't tell you how saddened I am to read of the illness & death of your dear husband, Allen. I remember seeing you both at the Montana Picnics the times my late husband, Lorin & I were there in Ariz. Allen always had my vote! I remember you both fondly. May your Faith & Memories help you through this very sad & difficult time. My Very Deepest Sympathy & Love, Irene
Kali Wicks
August 6, 2008
Kolstad Family -
It was a pleasure growing up on the neighboring farm. Allen was a grandfatherly figure in my life, and I will always remember and appreciate the time I spent with Iva and Allen as a child.
Con & Rose Mary Murphy
August 6, 2008
We have been fortunate to know Allen & Iva for over 40 years and to be able to renew our friendship for the past 7 years as "snow birds" at Mesa Regal. We will miss Allen's early morning stops for coffee & keeping us uptodate on their kids & grandkids activities. I feel privileged to have been able to call him a friend. Our prayers are with Iva & the family during this difficult time, but know that Allen is in a better place where he will never lose at the slot machines!!
Colleen Bresnahan-Rios
August 6, 2008
Our family was so blessed to have known Allen and his family.He was like a son to my mom and dad. They loved his surprise visits. They are all in a better place now. .enjoying Peace. Love to all of you.
Dave Lewis
August 6, 2008
I will always remeber Allen with a smile because of his amazing humor and grace. I once took a group of Wall Street Bankers in to see him when he was Lt. Governor. One of them saw the picture on the wall of the combines cutting grain and asked how much land he farmed. It was a terribly rude question but being from New York he apparently did not know that you never ask how much land a man has. Allen was very kind and replied that he really was not sure what the total was. I apologized to Allen later for the lack of manners and he just laughed it off.
Sig and Joan Larsen
August 6, 2008
Iva , We have you in our prayers. We were so sorry to hear of Allen's passing. We your "Arizona" Canadian friends feel sorry for ourselves as well. Our world has lost a man who was a friend to all. Such a generous and loving man.
Holly Pepprock
August 6, 2008
Iva and Family:
I have many fond memories of Uncle Allen, particularly our goofy nicknames that we had for each other. He had such a wonderful sense of humor!
I have always admired and respected Allen's commitment to family and country. I feel honored and proud to have him for my uncle.
Tom & Judy, Truxton, Holly and Beth Rolfe
August 6, 2008
Iva, Chris and the entire Kolstad family, Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Allen was our dear friend, so many great memories to hold on to now that he is gone. He did so very much for our family and we will always appreciate and remember him as one of the finest men we have ever known. We are better people because of his influence in our lives.
lucille russell
August 6, 2008
Iva an Her Family,Gods blessings to you. Allen loved to give me such a bad time{in fun}!He had a wonder sense of humor.Will miss seeing those brown eyes an great smile. Lucille
Karren Kane
August 6, 2008
Chris I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Iva my prayers are with you and your family.
Ron & Josie Olson
August 6, 2008
Our deepest sympathys to you and the family Iva. We always enjoyed you and Allen down in Mesa.
God bless.
Pam Seidlitz
August 5, 2008
Dear Iva and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May God grant you Peace during this difficult time. Love, Pam & John Seidlitz
Darrell Noah
August 5, 2008
I have fond memories of Allen. He was always there when needed. We on North 8th Street at Mesa Regal will miss him very much
Amy LaFleur
August 5, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the Kolstad Family. May you feel the Lord's presence with you in this time of Sorrow.
Amy ( Long ) Lafleur
Gene Strain
August 5, 2008
God bless Iva she has been the inspiration since Allen sickness. I have known Allen since he first came to Mesa Regal.; I have never missed a dinner that Allen and Iva provided from Phoenix to Mesa Regal.
Allen was always ready for a Bean Bag game and he always played for some money if it only was for 25 cents. He usually won. He was always at the Masonic meetings in Mesa Regal - a true friend - he will be missed. Gene Strain - now at Kingman, AZ. (so mote it be)
Donald Ramage
August 5, 2008
I enjoyed the traveling with Allen during the Stephens campaign. He was always upbeat and always laughing and really enjoyed life.We will miss him.
Bill and Betty Herman
August 5, 2008
We, in Arizona, were really just beginning to know and enjoy Allen. Everyone will certainly miss him greatly. Hope to see you, Iva, this year. Condolences from all
Jean Streppa
August 5, 2008
I have very fond memories of Alan from my earliest days in Mesa, Az. Both he and Iva were very inclusive in including me (a newcomer) in Mesa Regal activities, a kindness I shall always treasure. He will be greatly missed.
donald carmichael
August 5, 2008
My deepest condolences to the family.I had the pleasure to no allen for eleven years in mesa arz .he was a true & great freind
Ingrid Joy Kaushagen
August 5, 2008
Dear Iva, Doris,and Kay,
I remember when Allen came home from Concordia. I was probably 11 or 12 and he had a yellow car, sort of a jitney. When he honked the horn, it made the sound of a bull bellowing. I thought it was the greatest thing. He was the first college boy I knew.
I also remember that at your wedding, Iva, that my dad had slipped behind the receiving line to pick up his hat when a man started talking to him about the beautiful bride. The man thought my dad was your dad.
My prayers are with you and your family. Love, Joy
Lila Langel
August 5, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the Kolstad family. Allen created memories in the Chester Community that will always be there. He always knew who I was, and remembered my parents also !
Norman Buffington
August 5, 2008
Our deepest sympathies to Iva and all the Kolstad families.
I first met Allen when I was in the sixth grade and he was in the eighth grade in the old elementary school in Chester. It was always a pleasure to talk and visit with him when we saw him at many functions back in Chester over the past fifty years. His family, Chester, and society in general, has lost a great person.
Again, Patty and I offer our deepest sympathies to all the Kolstad families.
Sincerely,
Bob Gilbert
August 5, 2008
Allen served the rural community well. Few left to remember the country folks of Montana. Bob Gilbert, former sec.Montana Wool Growers.
Ty and Megan Olson
August 5, 2008
Our love and prayers to the Kolstad family. Allen was a good man who would take you in and make you a part of his family.
Arnold Lightner
August 5, 2008
Our prayers go out to Iva & family at the loss of my good friend It was always fun to visit with Allan and talk farming or politics.
Darron Diemert
August 5, 2008
Iva, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I could not imagine a better uncle than Allen was to us.
Patty & Dave Parchen
August 5, 2008
Our deepest sympathy is with you all. May the Lord lift you up during this time. Our prayers are with you.
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