Alton W. Nybladh, age 88, of Stephen, MN passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Alton was born August 17, 1928, in Warren, MN, to August and Edna (Knutson) Nybladh. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith. He attended Donnelly School Dist. 70 through the eighth grade and graduated in 1946 from high school in Stephen, MN. On June 18, 1952 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Lyle at the United Methodist Church in Bowesmont, ND. The couple made their home west of Stephen on the family farm. Alton enjoyed working the land and could fix just about anything. He enjoyed the thrill of planting, watching over the crops and the joy of harvest.  Alton had the gift of gab and could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. He always had a good story or an Ole and Lena joke to tell.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder, trustee, Sunday school teacher and was lay pastor for many area churches. He later joined the First Lutheran Church.  He was a charter member of the Stephen volunteer ambulance, Masons, Lions, Kem Temple Shrine and served on the Stephen school board and was county director for ASCS.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy and his sons, Alvin (Rebecca) of Stephen, MN and Larry (Karen) of Grand Forks, ND; daughters, Kathleen (Daniel) Ostroot of Dayton, MN and Debra Haire of Plano, TX; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by parents; twin great  granddaughters, Nicole and Natalie Kroll.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 26th at 2:00  p.m. in First Lutheran Church at Stephen.  Interment will be in the Stephen City Cemetery.  Rev. Mike Schendel, presiding; Renee Jensen, organist and Don Thorlacius, soloist.  Visitation will be held Sunday from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. in First Lutheran Church and on Monday for one hour prior to the service.