Neil E. Harstad

  Neil Edwin Harstad was the first of four children born to Myrtle and Harvey Harstad on April 19th, 1944 in Williston, North Dakota. He attended elementary school in Alexander, North Dakota. In 1959, Neil moved with his family to Chester, Montana where his Dad had taken a job with Chester Implement Company. Neil started high school in Chester and graduated as a proud Chester Coyote in 1963. Neil played football and was a proud member of the high school band where he was first chair clarinet. During the summer Neil worked with his Dad at John Deere setting up machinery.

After graduation Neil continued to work at Chester Implement and then enlisted in the United States Air Force in April of 1964. Following his basic training in Amarillo, Texas, Neil was transferred then to Nellis Air Force base in Nevada. His final assignment was in the Philippines. While in the service he was awarded the National Defence Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. After 4 years in the Air Force, Neil was honorably discharged at the rank of Sargent. He returned to Chester in May of 1968. Neil went back to work for Chester Implement when his boss Henry Kolstad sent him to work on his farm near Carter, Montana. Within a year, Neil left the Carter farm and went to work for Allen Kolstad. Neil found his niche at Kolstad Farms working full time for over 40 years and continuing to work part time until 2018. Neil was a faithful employee, rarely missing a day of work. Neil loved driving John Deere tractors His favorite job was seeding. When the seeding season ended Neil would always say “go find me another 1000 acres I’m not ready to quit”. Neil was also a partner in South Pork Ranch, a farrow to finish hog operation where they sold no swine before their time.

Neil was not afraid of hard work and took pride in everything he did on the farm. It is no wonder he received the Dickie’s American worker of the year award for the state of Montana in 2004.

Neil bought a modular home and moved it to the farm in the mid 80’s. He loved his home and had one of the first satellite dishes in the state. He loved watching sports and old western movies. His favorite professional teams were the Denver Broncos, the LA Lakers and the LA Dodgers. He could tell you every statistic about every player on those teams. He also loved following the local high school teams especially around tournament time. Neil loved the NCAA basketball tournament as well and enjoyed taking part in the NCAA auction at the Vet’s Club. It was not unusual to find Neil watching one game on TV while listening to another one on the radio. When not following sports he enjoyed reading books about the old west. His favorite author was Louis L’Amour and Neil read all of his books, some more than once. Neil’s favorite vacation spot was Las Vegas where he loved playing the slot machines and Keno.

In 2009, Neil was diagnosed with a kidney problem and started taking dialysis in Havre. Neil moved to the Sweet Grass Lodge in Chester in November of 2010 so he could be closer to his dialysis treatments. Neil’s health and eyesight continued to decline and in May of 2022 he moved to the Care Center at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre. Neil lived there until his passing on the morning of April 15th. Neil was short of his 81st birthday by just 4 days. Neil was proud of his Norwegian heritage and was a charter member of the Sons of Norway chapter in Chester. Neil was also a confirmed member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Myrtle and a sister Annie.

He is survived by his brother Marlyn and his sister Elaine, both of Chester, and numerous cousins in Montana, North Dakota, Texas and California.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 22, at 11:00 am at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Chester.