Leola Hystad , 74, Velva, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in a Minot hospital with her loving family by her side.

Leola Jean was born the second of five children on a farm located north of Towner, ND on September 22, 1932, to Lloyd and Alva (Bell) Knutson. She grew up on a farm south of Velva, where she inherited the love of horses from her father by attending the horse shows in Velva. Leola graduated from Velva High School in 1950, and later from Minot Business College.

She was united in marriage to Clifford F. Hystad on September 20, 1952, in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. They lived in Minot for a time, while Leola worked as a bookkeeper at Bacon Sign Company. In 1953, they moved to Velva and later that year to the farm, where they have resided the past 54 years. They retired from their farming operation in 1991, but remained active in the Velva Community.

Leola enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending lots of time with family.

She was a lifetime member of the Velva Legion Auxiliary, a member of the Karlsruhe VFW Post and Oak Valley Lutheran Church.

Her loving family includes: Husband of 54 years, Clifford; Children: Jerry (Jan) Hystad, Great Falls, MT, DeeDee (Terry) Kraft, Minot, and Jim (Rose) Hystad, Velva; Grandchildren: Giana and Tom Davidson; Erik, Bethany, Steven, and Ryan Hystad; Jamey Reiswig; Chance and Dillon Kraft; Jennifer and Marty Hildre; Jake Hystad; Great Grandchildren: Kayla Reiswig, Kylie, Reagan, and Carsen Hildre; Step-father: Fred Navratil; Sister: Trudy (Bernard) Piatz; Sisters-in-law: Betty Lindseth, Alvina Hystad, and Norma Knutson; Brother-in-law: Allen Westereng; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leola was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Alva Knutson, grandson, Craig Hystad, family members: Kenneth, Wilbert, and Jean Knutson, Darlene Westereng, Elling Lindseth, Brian Hystad, Melvin and Eunice Hystad.

Funeral Service: Saturday, March 17, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva;
Interment: North Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, rural Velva;
Visitation: Friday, March 16, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church;
Memorials are preferred to Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Souris Valley Care Center or Velva Community Ambulance.