Stephen Olmstead

Stephen Leo Olmstead, age 77, Fargo, ND, died on Monday, January 9, 2006 in his home. He was born to Hiram and Mabel Sophia Thornsen Olmstead on April 22, 1928 in Kempton, ND. Steve attended the Logan Center High School and graduated from Larimore State High School in 1946. He lived on the family farm in Kempton with his five brothers and parents, farming and raising livestock and horses, until he met Blanche Marie Lytle and they married on September 4, 1947. Steve farmed and hauled livestock and grain with his own semi-truck for 2 years in Kempton, and then he and his young family moved to Antler, ND where he farmed and hauled livestock and grain for a living until 1953 when he moved to West Fargo, where he went to work for the Dakota Livestock Commission Company. Steve worked at the livestock exchange for several years and then started his own feeder cattle operation and farmed on the outskirts of West Fargo, ND. Steve continued to participate over the next 20 years owning and managing various livestock operations to include a large feeder cattle feedlot, and one of the first automated dairy farms, managing various other livestock operations along with farming, as well as owning and operating a pellet mill operation. Steve moved to Colorado in 1970 where he continued to manage a cattle and farming operations near Longmont, CO. He then accepted a position with the Highland Ditch Company in 1980 as Superintendent. In 1985 he started Olmstead Well Service with his youngest son, Bryan Olmstead, and continued to service the DJ energy and oil basin until his retirement in 1996. Steve and his wife Blanche then moved to Fargo, ND in 1996. Steve loved farming and livestock, especially showing Herefords while in 4-H with his brothers. He loved all aspects of farming and livestock, fishing, attending ag and livestock shows, dancing, and coffee shops. Steve also found the challenges associated with irrigation water management to be richly rewarding. His talents culminated in the opportunities he created for himself in running his own well servicing business successfully, which he found to be very challenging and rewarding. Steve appreciated his friends and the sincere friendships he developed with so many over a cup of coffee throughout his lifetime. His friends were an endless source of stories, laughs, comfort, and support. Steve was a loving father and husband. He carried the values of the frontier life so strongly, such as competence, independence, and a love for the ministry over the lands. Steve brought joy to many. He was preceded in death by his son, James Alan Olmstead; his father, Hiram Eugene Olmstead, his mother Mabel Sophia Olmstead; his wife, Blanche Marie of 53 years; and his brothers, Charles, James, Patrick, and William. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Stephen E. and Janet Olmstead, Fargo, ND, Diana Darby, Longmont, CO, Bryan and Lola Olmstead, Raton, NM, and Karen and Brian Fazio, Longmont, CO; 10 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; his younger brother Phil and his wife Mary Ellen Olmstead, Cut Bank, Montana; his sisters-in-law, Irene Olmstead, Fargo, ND; Georgia Olmstead, Duluth, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: Friday, January 13, 2006 ? 5-7 p.m. ? Boulger Funeral Home Saturday, January 14, 2006 ? 10 ? 11 a.m. - Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church Prayer Service: Friday 7 p.m. ? Boulger Funeral Home Funeral: Saturday 11 a.m. ? Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church Burial: Holy Cross North Cemetery ? Fargo, ND Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND (1-800-393-6441) Online guestbook www.boulgerfuneralhome.com