In Memory Of
John K. Brostuen
1927
2019
John K. Brostuen
May 11, 1927 — March 20, 2019
John Kenneth Brostuen, 91, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on March 20, 2019 at the Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center. Newcomer Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends and family may share memories and leave their condolences at www.newcomerdenver.com. His funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Holy Love Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. Pastor Jim Engel will officiate and interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
A native of Williston, North Dakota, John was born to Johannes Kristiansen Brostuen and Anna (Iverson) Brostuen on May 11, 1927. The second of six siblings, he grew up on the family farm in McKenzie County, northwest of Alexander, North Dakota. John enjoyed sharing stories and fond memories of his life on the farm with his mother and father. The tight-knit Norwegian community which was home to many of his aunts, uncles and cousins, provided Sunday traditions of faith and family which included gathering at their church and spending quality time together over wonderful home cooked meals.
Following the tragic plane crash that took his father's life in 1938, John and family moved to Williston, where he was confirmed in the Lutheran church faith and attended public schools, graduating from Williston High School in 1945.
Called to active duty prior to graduation, John served in the United States Navy from 1945-1946. As a US Navy Seabee, the "farm boy" who had never travelled more than 150 miles from home, served his country in Rhode Island, Hawaii Territory, Guam, and the Marshall Islands. John's values clearly defined those from "The Greatest Generation" including his personal responsibility, humility, strong work ethic, and faithful commitment. Following his honorable discharge from the US Navy, John attended Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana.
On December 27, 1959 John married the love of his life, Elaine (Kunde) of Parshall, North Dakota, in Minot, North Dakota. Following marriage, John and Elaine lived in Crosby, North Dakota a short time, before settling in Williston, ND where they raised three daughters and three sons. John dedicated his love, life and work to the wellbeing of his family. He enjoyed sharing his love for the great outdoors with family on trips to the Badlands of North Dakota, Black Hills of South Dakota, and destinations in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming. John was an avid and skilled vegetable gardener. His garden harvests, often exceeding the appetites of his six growing children, were often shared with community. Many fond memories include roast beef dinners, watching football, and drives out to the country for sledding in the winter months, camping, fishing, hiking, and backyard barbeques in the summer months and holiday and birthday celebrations all year long. Through most of his married life, John worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1989. John was a member of American Legion, Edgar M. Boyd Post 37, where he had served as Post Commander and member of the Williston Veterans Honor Guard. He was also a member and Past President of the Navy League. If there was a community event or project that benefitted veterans, John was always willing to lend a hand by coordinating and helping to cook chili or spaghetti dinners and arranging and providing event music.
John is survived by his wife Elaine of Aurora, CO, his six children: Susan Brostuen of Centennial, CO; Chris (Sheila) Brostuen of Williston, ND and their daughter Sierra (Casey) Odegard of Shepherd, MT and their children Emersyn and Landry, daughter Jenna Brostuen of Williston, ND and her daughter Tyleigh, and son Colton (Kelsie) Brostuen of Williston, ND and their children Beckette and Blakely; Ron Brostuen of Beaverton, OR and daughter Brittany (Ken) Boeckl of Chimacum, WA; Nancy Brostuen of Littleton, CO; Diane Brostuen of Littleton, CO; and Dennis Brostuen of Beaverton, OR. He is also survived by his sister Austa (Iver) Torgerson of Macomb, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Wilkinson and Ardis Skindrud, brothers Erling and Ivar, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws.
The family requests that memorials be given to the American Legion - Edgar M. Boyd Post 37, PO Box 1161, Williston, ND 58802-1161.
To leave a condolence or memory for John's family, please visit the guestbook below.
A native of Williston, North Dakota, John was born to Johannes Kristiansen Brostuen and Anna (Iverson) Brostuen on May 11, 1927. The second of six siblings, he grew up on the family farm in McKenzie County, northwest of Alexander, North Dakota. John enjoyed sharing stories and fond memories of his life on the farm with his mother and father. The tight-knit Norwegian community which was home to many of his aunts, uncles and cousins, provided Sunday traditions of faith and family which included gathering at their church and spending quality time together over wonderful home cooked meals.
Following the tragic plane crash that took his father's life in 1938, John and family moved to Williston, where he was confirmed in the Lutheran church faith and attended public schools, graduating from Williston High School in 1945.
Called to active duty prior to graduation, John served in the United States Navy from 1945-1946. As a US Navy Seabee, the "farm boy" who had never travelled more than 150 miles from home, served his country in Rhode Island, Hawaii Territory, Guam, and the Marshall Islands. John's values clearly defined those from "The Greatest Generation" including his personal responsibility, humility, strong work ethic, and faithful commitment. Following his honorable discharge from the US Navy, John attended Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana.
On December 27, 1959 John married the love of his life, Elaine (Kunde) of Parshall, North Dakota, in Minot, North Dakota. Following marriage, John and Elaine lived in Crosby, North Dakota a short time, before settling in Williston, ND where they raised three daughters and three sons. John dedicated his love, life and work to the wellbeing of his family. He enjoyed sharing his love for the great outdoors with family on trips to the Badlands of North Dakota, Black Hills of South Dakota, and destinations in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming. John was an avid and skilled vegetable gardener. His garden harvests, often exceeding the appetites of his six growing children, were often shared with community. Many fond memories include roast beef dinners, watching football, and drives out to the country for sledding in the winter months, camping, fishing, hiking, and backyard barbeques in the summer months and holiday and birthday celebrations all year long. Through most of his married life, John worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1989. John was a member of American Legion, Edgar M. Boyd Post 37, where he had served as Post Commander and member of the Williston Veterans Honor Guard. He was also a member and Past President of the Navy League. If there was a community event or project that benefitted veterans, John was always willing to lend a hand by coordinating and helping to cook chili or spaghetti dinners and arranging and providing event music.
John is survived by his wife Elaine of Aurora, CO, his six children: Susan Brostuen of Centennial, CO; Chris (Sheila) Brostuen of Williston, ND and their daughter Sierra (Casey) Odegard of Shepherd, MT and their children Emersyn and Landry, daughter Jenna Brostuen of Williston, ND and her daughter Tyleigh, and son Colton (Kelsie) Brostuen of Williston, ND and their children Beckette and Blakely; Ron Brostuen of Beaverton, OR and daughter Brittany (Ken) Boeckl of Chimacum, WA; Nancy Brostuen of Littleton, CO; Diane Brostuen of Littleton, CO; and Dennis Brostuen of Beaverton, OR. He is also survived by his sister Austa (Iver) Torgerson of Macomb, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Wilkinson and Ardis Skindrud, brothers Erling and Ivar, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws.
The family requests that memorials be given to the American Legion - Edgar M. Boyd Post 37, PO Box 1161, Williston, ND 58802-1161.
To leave a condolence or memory for John's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John K. Brostuen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)
Newcomer - East Metro Chapel
Interment
Fort Logan National Cemetery, Thurs April 4, 2019 at 2:30pm, meet at Staging Area B by 2:20pm
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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