Philip Roland Onstad

1938 - 2025

Philip Roland Onstad
Born: August 8, 1938
Died: May 8, 2025 in Lakewood Ranch, FL
Phil (87) was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the early morning of Thursday, May 8, 2025. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood Ranch, FL, with his wife, Pat and daughter, Melissa by his side.
Phil was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Wilhelmina (Wentzel) Onstad, father, Iver Theodore Onstad, his favorite sister Elizabeth (Liz) Ellertson, and siblings Louise Martin, Luther, Margaret Davenport, Alvin, Gerri Carlson, and Doris Onstad. Phil was also preceded by his mother-in-law, Ada Hill and sisters-in-law Wanda Onstad and Marilyn Onstad.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Phil are his loving, devoted wife Patricia, son Mark (Shelley), daughter, Melissa (Jim) Sofos, grandsons, Theo, Nicholas and Alex Sofos, best friend and brother Norman (Nida) Onstad, and siblings Mary (Dick) Metras, Lydia (Emmett) Doherty, and David Onstad. Also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews including niece Janelle (Terry) Gustafson, Carla (Onstad) McKelvey, Chris Onstad, Karen (Glen) Grossman, Ruth Shadler, Rebecca Kuenzler, Rex Martin, Kristy Kannings, Jonathan Onstad, and Timothy, John and Peter Carlson.
Phil was born in Oklee, MN, on April 8, 1938. He grew up on the family farm in Clearbook, MN with his 11 siblings. Phil completed his high school education through homeschooling with the American School of Correspondence. On the farm, Phil enjoyed bee keeping, working with the family horses and his Oliver tractor. He also sang and played guitar with his family in a group called "The Onstad Family Gospel Singers," that was broadcast on several radio stations in ND, MN, and IL.
After leaving home as a young man, Phil served in the US National Guard, stationed in Alaska. He was quite the adventurous daredevil, flying his own private airplane and speed boat.
Phil moved to IL in the early 1960s to work as an ironworker. He also found construction work in NJ, IA, and FL. Through construction work, Phil made lifelong friends with John Szafran and Bob White.
Phil married his dear wife, Pat, in October 1973. They resided in Shorewood, IL for 51 years and moved to FL to be close to their daughter in 2025.
Phil worked for Crown Construction from the early 1970s to 1989 along with his brother, "Stormin" Norman. The two brothers worked together setting steel on buildings such as the Sears (Willis) Tower and several animal habitats at the Brookfield Zoo. Together, with their wives Pat and Wanda, they started their own company, Majestic Steel Erectors Inc. in 1989, as they continued setting steel on buildings and bridges in the Chicagoland area.
Phil was a devoted, loving husband to his wife, Pat, and an amazing dad to his children, Mark and Melissa. He enjoyed family road trips and camping out west, gardening with his children in his backyard, and taking his kids snowmobiling in the winters in IL. He was the best father-in-law to Jim, loving him like a son. They enjoyed watching golf, baseball and football together. Phil was also the funnest, most involved Papa to his 3 grandsons, Theo, Nicholas, and Alex, rarely missing one of their hockey or baseball games. He also loved vacationing with his grandsons and family to the beaches in FL and Disney for many years.
After his retirement in 2016, he also enjoyed road trips with his wife, Pat, to Door Co. WI, Covered Bridge Festivals in IN, and blueberry fests and lighthouses in MI.
Phil was known for his infectious smile, his laugh, and his heart of gold. He was always joking and never took life too seriously. He loved swimming, biking, wearing neon of course, and walking his 3 beloved dogs. He will also be remembered for his love of bluegrass music, blueberries, and his ability to fix or build just about anything.
Per Phil's wishes, he will be cremated, and his family will host a private celebration of life later this summer.