Lalyn Monsrud

A Funeral Service for Lalyn Monsrud of Wannaska, MN willbe held on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00AM at Riverside Lutheran Church in Wannaska. Visitation will be held at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 5-7PM. Interment will be held at a later date. 

Military rites will be provided by the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard.

Lalyn Elmer Keith Monsrud was born in Roseau, MN on May 5, 1935 to Elmer and Hannah (Bergstrom) Monsrud. He grew up north of Wannaska and attended grade school there before graduating from Roseau High School in 1953. Lalyn grew up skating and playing hockey from a young age, often clearing ice on the river with friends and neighbors.  He played hockey in high school and amateur hockey out West as well as playing for the Warroad Lakers in his 20’s. Lalyn was drafted into the United States Army in 1955 and spent 5 years in service. After his service, he moved back home to continue working with his father on the family farm.  Lalyn always knew he would join his father as a farmer and would eventually take over the family farm after the loss of his father in the 70’s. Lalyn was married to Margaret “Peggy” Kofstad for 17 years and was blessed with three children (Lon, Sandy and Heather).  In 1985, Lalyn met Luella Solberg and they became life partners for the past 40 years.

Lalyn spent most of his time in nature.  He enjoyed hunting and ice fishing, especially after he sold off his dairy cattle. He enjoyed sports and was a big fan of the MN Wild, Twins and Vikings.  He would often spend time at the ice arena watching all ages of hockey games.  Lalyn was known for his generosity with the vegetables and flowers from his garden and found great satisfaction in sharing all that his garden produced. He had a big heart and loved helping people with whatever they might need. In addition to his generous spirit, Lalyn also had a great sense of humor and would often play tricks and pull pranks on family and friends (often to the frustration of those involved).

Lalyn was a member of Riverside Lutheran Church in Wannaska and the Roseau American Legion. Two things he rarely missed were a Sunday morning church service or a meeting at the American Legion. He took great pride in honoring his brothers in arms as a member of the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard.

Lalyn was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hannah Monsrud; son, Paul Monsrud; brother, Darrell Monsrud.

He is survived by his children, Lon Monsrud, Sandy Monsrud, Heather (Matthew) Knochenmus; grandchildren, Logan and Kira Knochenmus; sister, Elizabeth Santl; life partner, Luella Solberg; as well as numerous other family.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lalyn Monsrud, please visit our floral store.