Obert Blackstad

Obert "Obe" Blackstad was born on December 20, 1924 at the family farm in rural Saint James to Ole G. Marie (Nesseth) Blackstad. He was baptized and confirmed at Albion Church in Albin township, Brown County, Minnesota. He received his education in District 36 and high school in Saint James until 11th grade. From there he went on to attend the U of M Agriculture School for two years. He returned home to start farming on the family farm with his father. Obert lost his father at a young age and took on all the responsibilities of the family farm business from there on. On September 2, 1956, Obert was united in marriage to Myrna Jean Hoffman at St.John's Lutheran Church in Darfur, Minnesota. Not only did they share a birthday, but they shared their love for the children that blessed their marriage, Mary Tom. After marriage, Obe Myrna resided on the family farm where they grew corn and soybeans as well as raised cattle, pigs, chickens. This last week Obert's chronic illnesses finally showed us that even our Miracle Man's time on earth must come to an end. He had defeated all odds and had a strong will to live. He was taken to Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato where he passed away with family by his side on Sunday evening, March 9, 2014 at the age of 89 years old. Obe was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Zuhrah Shrine, Central Livestock Shipping Association, Pork Producers, Cattle Producers, Farm Bureau, a director at LaSalle Locker, a Trojan Pfizer Dekalb Seed dealer, and part of the original owner group of the Watonwan Co. Feeder Pig Coop. Obe was also a longtime member of the First Lutheran church where it was a highlight of his week to attend and sit in the 5th row from the back every Sunday. No Sunday was complete without breakfast after church at the Hometown Cafe with friends and family. Obert's heart of gold was full of love for family. He also had a true appreciation for great friends and was loved by so many in return. He taught us to be kind, take things slow, make the best out of every minute, have a strong work ethic, and how to always look for the best deal (though you may have thought you got a great deal, Obe always thought you could have gotten a better one). Obe had many other enjoyments in life but most important was spending time with his family. He enjoyed every minute with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, no matter how much time he spent with them, he always wished for more time, as a minute was never enough. He also loved and adored his pets. Buster, Sophie, and his cat 'Fluffy' were his current favorites, as well as his black labs and german shepherds from the past. He loved to go camping, hunting, fishing, and buying his weekly Powerball ticket. He may have never won big, but he really was the luckiest man on earth. Obert is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Myrna Blackstad of St. James; two children, Mary (Glenn) Runge of St. James and Tom Blackstad of St. James; three grandchildren, Scott (Samantha) Runge of St. James, Sara Runge of San Francisco, CA, and Susan (Dan) Bottin of Saint James; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Keeley, Katelyn Runge and Emma Bottin all of Saint James; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Marvin and Lorraine Hoffman of Saint James; nephew Larry (Peggy) Hoffman and niece Lisa (Kevin) Krahn, as well as many other cousins. Obert has now been welcomed home by his parents Ole G. Marie, sister and brother-in-law , Mayme Benny Pagenkopf, and infant son. May his love, memories, and stories live on forever. First Visitation 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, March 13, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, March 14, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Friday, March 14, 2014 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081