Robert L. Fjerstad, 89, of Carlton passed away Feb. 27, 2021.

He was born on June 21, 1931 in Fosston to Lloyd and Sadie (Carver) Fjerstad. He married Marie Cumber on June 13, 1959. He was a loving father of Clayton (Kim), Colin (Debbie), and Wayne (Angie), and dear grandfather of Cassandra, Kurtis, Amy, Janice, and Nicholas. He was a dear brother of Mavis (Bill) LaVoi, Shirley (Winton) Knudson, Janis (Dick) Aos, Russell Fjerstad, and Vicki (Wayne) Strom, and a special friend to Bob, Jodi, Samantha, and Megan Matarelli. He was a dear uncle, great-uncle, and friend to many.

Bob grew up on a farm in Brandsvold Township, north of Fosston in northwestern Minnesota. It was where he developed his love for horses and farming. He attended Cloverdale Country School and Fosston High School.

He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he received numerous military honors.

He shared 48 happily married years with his wife in Carlton, where they raised their boys and he continued farming. Robert worked (and retired) as a heavy equipment operator for J.R. Jensen & Son.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Sadie (Carver) Fjerstad; wife, Marie (Cumber) Fjerstad; infant son, Kent Fjerstad; sisters Shirley (Fjerstad) Knudson and Janis (Fjerstad) Aos; brother, Russell Fjerstad; and brothers-in-law Dick Aos, Bill LaVoi and Winton Knudson.

A private service and burial will be held March 6 at Hillside Cemetery in Carlton. Military honors will be accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. A celebration of Robert's life will be held for family and friends 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at Nelson Funeral Care. The family requests memorial contributions to the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Pine Knot News, March 5, 2021