Elvin B. Pietsch, 91, Minot, died Sunday, February 6, 2011, in a Minot nursing home.

Elvin was born June 8, 1919, on the family farm in Ward County, North Dakota the son of Gustav and Thea (Carlson) Pietsch. He was raised on a farm in Freedom Township of Ward County and educated at country schools in that area. During his younger years, he assisted with the operation of the family farm in the South Prairie area.

Elvin was united in marriage to Ruth Berg on October 15, 1940, in Wolf Point, Montana. They made their home in Minot, where he was employed with the Great Northern Railroad for two years. They moved to Freedom Township, where they lived and farmed their current farm from 1946 until 1985, when he retired. Ruth died December 19, 2001. Elvin remained on the farm until entering the nursing home in August of 2008.

Elvin was a lifetime member of Saron Lutheran Church, having been baptized and confirmed there. He served as sexton of the Church Cemetery and on the Church Council for a number of years. He was a member of the Freedom Township School Board, Farmer's Union Board of Directors and Farmer's Union Elevator Board. He was a lifetime member of the Minot Moose Lodge and a former member of the Minot Elks Lodge.

Elvin enjoyed fishing, hunting (especially black-powder), gardening and planting trees. He enjoyed the outdoors and camping with his family. Many trips were made into Canada, along with trips to many states, including Alaska. Elvin and Ruth made a number of trips south for the winter. They were always thinking of their family, often buying them gifts from the heart. One of Elvin's favorite past-times included creating works of wood for family and friends. He built everything from baby cradles and grandfather clocks, to cedar chests, bird houses and special frames to display Ruth's crafts. One of Elvin's greatest gifts was to instill honesty and hard work to those he knew.

His loving family includes : daughters, Myrna (Ed) Bauer, Doniphan, NB, Terry (Jerry) Stroklund, Minot, and Linda (Bruce) Fairbrother, Towner, ND; Grandchildren: Angie (John) Sjuts, Leigh (Steve) Borgman, Elizabeth Bauer (Manny Gallegos), Joe (Sara) Bauer, Chuck (Keena) Bauer, Jerilyn Stenberg, Chris (Nick) Asmundson, Todd Fairbrother; Great-Grandchildren: Michaela Bauer, Andrew & Christina Borgman, Katie, Michael & Natalie Sjuts, Lance Bauer, Lindsay, Jacob & Elaina Ruth Bauer, Audrey Ruth & Mallorie Lynn Bauer, McKynna Stenberg, Lee and Emma Asmundson; brothers: Leonard Pietsch, Minot and Gerhard Pietsch, Melbourne, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers: Alfred, Carl, Clifford, Herman and Ernie; and sister, Clara.

Funeral service : Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in Saron Lutheran Church, rural Minot.
Interment : Saron Lutheran Cemetery, rural Minot, later in the spring of 2011.
Visitation : Friday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.