Avis Linstad Obituary March 6, 2026 - Bakke Funeral Homes

Avis Lorraine Linstad, 91, of Park River, ND, formerly of Dahlen, ND, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Center in Park River surrounded by her loving husband and children.Avis was born on January 25, 1935, to Laurence and Esther Dahlen of rural Fordville, ND. She graduated high school from Fordville and attended nursing school in Crookston, MN, where she obtained her LPN degree. She worked as an LPN at Griggs County Medical Center, Cooperstown ND, for a couple years before moving back to Dahlen.On July 1, 1956, she married Clayton Linstad at Dahlen Lutheran Church. They were married 69 wonderful years. With a smirk on his face and that twinkle in his eye, Clayton teases, "It would have been 70 if she had said 'yes' right away!" Together they bought Avis's grandmother's farm and raised 4 children there.They enjoyed life together as active members of the church. She served as the church librarian, sang in the choir, and was in the Ladies Aid and was their secretary for many years.She and Clayton enjoyed dancing a good old polka, waltz, or schottische and they traveled to square dances as members of the Dahlen Rollaways Square Dance Club.In September of 1994, they enjoyed traveling to Norway together, to the land where both her and Clayton's heritage began. The matching Norwegian sweaters they came back with became closet staples that continued to hold special memories for her and Clayton.Anyone who knew Avis knew her two favorite past times were bowling and bingo, a habit that she was always very lucky at! She bowled in many women's and mixed leagues on the lanes of Edinburg, Park River, and Adams.Together they attended hundreds of ball games and activities, taking in as many as they could, not only of their children, but also of their 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Avis was never without her notepad and pencil, double checking the score, and keeping stats for her grandchildren.At home, Avis also enjoyed quieter past times such as reading, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords, baking, and cooking for "the men" while they were in the field. She was a quiet observer of life—never one demanding attention, but always listening, watching, and enjoying every memory being made.She is survived by her husband, Clayton, now residing in Park River, 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren:Daughter Jill (and the late Dennis) Trenda of Hoople, ND, their daughter DeAnne Udby (Chris; Bryson, Annistyn, and Maverik) and son Nathan Trenda.Daughter Amy and Larry Ohnstad of Petersburg, ND, their son Chris Ohnstad (Nikki; Bennett, Isaac, and Thomas), daughter Stacie Moen (Kris; Jailin, Dex, and Case), and daughter Julie Lamb (Jake; Jax, Elle, and Edyn).Son Lauren and Cindy Linstad of San Diego, CA, their daughter Noelle Schlung (Jedidiah; William, Peter, Miriam, and Eleanor), daughter Callie Vechery (Starner; Aera, Maeve, and Lucy), daughter Ashley Nelson (Peter), daughter Olivia Carl (Dustin; Elise), and son Cameron Linstad.Son Clint Linstad of Dahlen, ND.She is also survived by a sister, Karen (Fred) Spriggs of Detroit Lakes, MN.She is preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Esther Dahlen; sister, Diane Kastner; and son-in-law, Dennis Trenda.Funeral services will be held March 17, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Dahlen Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest in Middle Forest Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements by Bakke Funeral Home of Larimore, ND.