Lauris D. Krogstad

Lauris Dean Krogstad, age 88 of Little Falls, MN, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and youngest sons on Thursday, July 16, 2026, after a long battle with Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Luncheon will follow with visitation one hour prior to the service. Family, friends, and members of the community are welcome to attend. Cremains will be buried and a headstone placed at the Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN at a later date. Caring for Lauris and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. Lauris was born on August 9, 1937, in Thief River Falls, MN to the late Edward Lauris Krogstad and Dorothy Vera Rebecca Hulick. During his childhood years, he lived in Thief River Falls, Crookston and Bemidji, MN. In May 1955, he graduated from Central High School in Crookston, MN. In 1956 he joined the Army National Guard of Minnesota and was Honorably Discharged in 1959. He first married Joann Marie Joslyn on February 22, 1958 in Miami, OK. They had 6 children however, one daughter, June Angel Krogstad died shortly after birth from complications in 1960. He divorced Joann in 1970 after living together in Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Northfield and Mt. Iron, MN. During this time, he worked as a Driver for Chet Rouse Trucking, Welders Supply and Culligan Soft Water, all of Bemidji, MN and Torgerson Oil and Bunny Bread of Thief River Falls, MN. In 1964, he was hired by Montgomery Ward Stores to manage the Northfield, MN store and later transferred to Virginia, MN and managed the store there. In 1970, he began working for Lakehead Pipeline (Enbridge USA) in Bemidji, MN as a Laborer. In 1971, he transferred to Griffith, IN to work as a Gauger. In 1975, he transferred to Marysville, MI to work as a Deliveryman. On October 28, 1977, he married his second wife, Joy Lorraine Dore in Marysville, MI. They had 1 child together and 1 child from Joy’s first marriage. In 1981, still a deliveryman, he transferred to Bay City, MI where he and Joy had their second and final child in 1983. In 1988 he transferred to Gonvick, MN where he worked as a Terminal Gauger in Clearbrook, MN. In 1998 he advanced to Senior Terminal Gauger at the same location and retired from that position and Enbridge USA in 2000. Some of his life accomplishments besides being a supportive husband, hardworking father and loving grandfather were being the Disaster Response Chairman for the American Red Cross in Clearwater County, Minnesota from 1991 to 2001 and Mayor of Gonvick, MN from 1998 to 2004. Because of his service in the National Guard during the Korean Conflict, he was a member of the Gonvick American Legion Post 304 where he served as a member of the Military Honor Guard. Due to his love of Books and Literature, he established the Library LINK Site in Gonvick, MN as well. He also had many hobbies and interests that included Woodworking, Model Boat Building, Boating, Fishing, Hockey, Aviation, Old War Planes, Swimming, Hiking, Camping, travelled to Norway, most of Canada and the USA including Alaska and Hawaii. He also published two books through his excitement, interest and desire to research his Family History. Lauris was preceded in death by his parents; daughter; siblings; son-in-law, Steve Laporte; grandchildren Sierra Reid, Cammron McBride and Sabrina Gates; aunts, uncles, and several cousins. He is survived by his Wife of 48 Years and 9 Months, Joy Krogstad; sons, Lauris Krogstad, Bruce Thibodeau, Charles Krogstad and Sean Krogstad. His daughters, Cynthia Laporte, Diana Rowles, Constance Zempel, and Michelle McBride. He has 26 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the compassionate nursing staff of CHI Health at Home Hospice of Little Falls, Neighbors: Diane Zalasin, Brian and Nadine Westerberg and Neighbor/Personal Nurse Abigail Marts. He was loved by so many friends and family and will be deeply missed by all those who truly knew him.

Tributes

Lauris D. Krogstad

August 9, 1937 - July 16, 2026