Elroy Rostberg

Elroy Rostberg, 78, of Devils Lake, ND passed away in his home on Monday, August 31, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Elroy was born to Alice Rostberg on August 8,1942. As a boy, Elroy spent much of his time helping his family on the farm where he gained an uncanny ability to fix anything. Elroy attended elementary and high school in Larimore, ND. He was a proud member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and participated in pole vaulting at a state track meet. Elroy’s work ethics and common-sense ingenuity made him the first employee at the Larimore golf course when it was being created at the age of just 14 years old.

Elroy married Luciene Lee of Larimore, on June 5, 1965. They moved to Kindred, ND to start a family and to start his career.  They raised three children Michele, Greg, and Kristi. Elroy instructed Vocational Education for ten years at Kindred High School.  He actively participated in the FFA, Saint Maurice’s Catholic Church Council, Kindred Lions Club, Kindred School Board, and other community organizations.  Elroy was awarded the National Vocation Ag Teachers Association Outstanding Young Teacher Award.

There’s no better way to describe his teaching career than this acknowledgement written by Keith Rheault at University of Iowa when writing a dissertation about Vocational teachers. “The spark which initiated this study could have said to have its origins thirteen years ago.  The man who ignited the spark was my first and only vocational teacher Mr. Elroy Rostberg. Mr. Rostberg gave real meaning to the words, Master Teacher.”

Elroy moved on from teaching to become the manager of the local Cenex Cooperative.  Little did he know that that moving to Cenex would start many life-long friendships and be his life’s work for the next 30 years.

After managing the Kindred Cooperative for ten years and receiving Outstanding Young Manager Awards, Elroy was asked by corporate Cenex to be part of the field staff where he could choose to live anywhere in the Red River Valley. Elroy and Luciene jumped at the chance to move back to their hometown, Larimore in 1981. He was active in Larimore Lions Club, St. Stephens Catholic Church and the Larimore School Board.

Elroy is remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, and as a selfless server.  He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and also enjoyed spending time with his family.  No matter how busy he was, he always took time to go hunting and fishing with his son starting at the age of 4.  He took annual fishing trips to Canada with his Cenex fishing crew starting in 1977.  To his fishing buddies he was the master chef and head jokester.

After his career had ended and Luciene passed away in 1998, Elroy with the help of his son, grandson Jordan, and Uncle Kenny spent the summer moving his dream lake cabin to Devils Lake.  In 2004, he met Rhonda and they were married in 2007.  They enjoyed fishing, hiking, kayaking, and hunting.  They had many fun adventures in Alaska, Arizona, Mexico, and Western North Dakota. They enjoyed watching Bison football games in their home in Arizona with friends. They are current members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND.

Elroy is survived his wife Rhonda, his brother Joel his wife Debbie, daughter Michele Van Vlaenderen, grandchildren Jordan and Megan, great grandchildren Caidyn, Kyra and Ella, son Greg Rostberg his wife Julie, grandchildren Brandon and Michael, his beloved special needs daughter Kristi. Rhonda daughters Joni Hubrig husband Travis, their children Grace and Norah. Andrea Chaney and her husband Derrick his children Dustin, Danielle and Garrett, and Christie and Stephen Freedman their daughter Olivia.  Elroy is preceded in death by his first wife Luciene Rostberg, mother Alice Rostberg, and his Uncle Kenneth Rostberg.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2020 in St.Stephen’s Catholic Church in Larimore.   Face masks are required.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the church.

Rite of Christian Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, ND.

The service will be live streamed. Go to Facebook to St. Stephen's Catholic Church,  Larimore.    This might be uploaded following the service.