Elida Hunstad

Elida Alma Thorson was born October 8, 1911, on the family farm in rural Odin, the daughter of Anton Clara (Kolden) Thorson. She was a life long member of St. Olaf Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She attended rural school at District 93 in Martin County. She attended Odin High School for a short time before going to work as a cleaning lady at the Boston Hotel in St. James. She worked for family in Fairmont for a time. On November 29, 1930, she was united in marriage to Purdy Hunstad at the parsonage in Madelia. The couple made their home on several different farms before moving the their own place where they had their son Arlo. Elida was a farm wife, she worked with Purdy on the farm for the next 38 years. The couple retired in 1969. They moved to St. James in 1970, she worked at the Rustic Inn as a waitress and cook. After the Rustic Inn closed she went to work at the Boston as a waitress for a couple years. Purdy had health issues so Elida stayed home with him. In 1997, Purdy passed away. Elida sold the home and moved into an apartment and then to Praire View for 3 years and then to Brandt Ridge until she fell and broke her hip and ended up at Pleasant View. Elida was active in church activities, serving as a Sunday School teacher, ladies aide and help with various office positions. She enjoyed getting together with a group of ladies from St. Olaf monthly for coffee and celebrate birthdays. Elida is survived by her son, Arlo (Marilyn) Hunstad of St. James, granddaughters, Debra (Kenneth) Lindberg of Lafayette, Angela (Dennis) Mott of St. Peter, niece, Orra (Bill) Eckman of Fairmont, nephew, Milo (Lucy) Thorson of Butterfield, great-grandchildren, Simon, Tasha, Ashlee Lindberg and Emmalie Mott. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Carl Hazel Thorson, Eddie Adeline Hunstad, sisters-in-law, Mabel Caspa Nordby, Thea Arnold Carlson and Helen Joel Lynn. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, July 24, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Friday, July 25, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 2:00 pm Friday, July 25, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery South of Odin Odin, Minnesota, United States 56160