*Sigurd Rimestad, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., died on Sept. 25, 2014. He went to be with his Savior after a lengthy illness. He was born in Hampden, N.D., on May 26, 1927. Sig was the youngest son of Martin and Sanna’s eight children. The family moved to Grand Forks, N.D., where he graduated from high school. At 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed at Treasure Island near San Francisco, serving on the ship Annapolis. After his discharge, he attended St. Olaf College and spent two summers with the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho. He transferred to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he graduated with a degree in physical education and a minor in history, and his master’s in administration. He was a superintendent of schools for 42 years, starting his career in Pisek, N.D., then on to Munich and Edinburgh, N.D. The family moved to Clearbrook, Minn., where he directed the expansion for a new elementary school and a high school addition and received national recognition through the Department of Commerce for its work in area redevelopment. They then moved to Winnebago, Ill. While in Winnebago, he worked on completing his Doctorate in Administration at Northern Illinois University. After experiencing a tornado, the family decided to move back to Minnesota, residing in Eveleth, where he secured funding to start a vocational school without iron mining funds, which was a first for school districts in the area. In 1973 they moved to Grygla, Minn., where he expanded the school district by establishing a high school. The school offered certified programs in auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, machine shop, and cosmetology. This was also the first school in Minnesota designed for cold weather. Their final move was to Taylors Falls, Minn., where he completed the consolidation between school districts and developed the Small School Model before retiring. Over his career he was invited to guest lecture at various colleges and published articles on rural education.

He was active in church as well as civic organizations, including the Boy Scouts. In his spare time he enjoyed many hobbies, including wood working, hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and boating. He built a working replica of a Civil War naval cannon, a 36-foot St. Pierre Dory fishing boat for Lake Superior, and a grandfather clock amongst his projects. He took up water coloring painting in his late seventies and was invited to several juried shows. He loved good conversation, either in person or on the telephone, with interest in philosophy, religion, culture, politics, music, and sports – especially hunting. He was a true renaissance man.

He is remembered for his love of his wife, family, the Coast Guard and his Lord. In 1951 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn, celebrating 63 years in 2014. Survivors also include five children, Marty and wife Wanda, Kris Lance and spouse Mike, Debbie Motley and husband John, Kathy Westrum and husband Dick, and Sanna Raedeke and husband Dan; 13 grandchildren, Noelle Young and husband Hassan, Lauren Rimestad, Karsten Rimestad, Landen and Braeden Rimestad, Kjersten Lance, Curtis Lance, Brianna Lance, Daenon Scobee and spouse Brian, Luke Westrum and wife Beth, Matthew Westrum, Dominick Raedeke, and Simone Raedeke; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his parents and siblings. The family prefers memorials to Peace Lutheran Church in Dresser, Wis.