Florence D. Ristad, 97, of Hallock, passed peacefully on July 25, 2017 at the Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center. Florence Doris Foss was born on October 25, 1919 in Thompson Township, Kittson County, Minnesota to George and Inga (Norum) Foss.  She was the third of six children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Two River Church. She grew up in and around Hallock, graduating at the top of her class from Hallock High School in 1937.  She attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis after high school and worked briefly in the Twin Cities before returning to Hallock.  On December 27, 1941 she married Ferdie Ristad at Two River Lutheran Church.  Florence and Ferdie were engaged in farming in Hazelton Township.  They were very active in their community, being named Red River Valley farmer and homemaker of the year in 1970.  Florence was a Sunday School superintendent for many years, a 4-H leader and a member of the school board in both Lake Bronson and later in Hallock and served on the hospital board as well.  Ferdie died in 1986 and Florence moved into Hallock where she continued her involvement in women's bible study at Grace church and the activities at the senior center.  Florence and Ferdie had three children, Joanne (Mrs. Ralph Heinzen), Garrison, ND, James (Julie), Hallock and Donald (Kent Cassidy), Wayzata, MN. Florence enjoyed travel, entertaining, holidays and most especially her family.  She was always a great wordsmith and enjoyed writing and public speaking.  Her family will always remember her orange rolls, date-filled cookies and her bell collection.

She is survived by her children and their spouses; grandchildren, Ward Heinzen (Melanie), Garrison, ND, Karen (Kyle) Araya, Garrison, Eric Ristad (Jennifer), Hallock, John Ristad (Michelle), Hudson, WI; ten great grandchildren, Abigail, Nicholas and Nolan Heinzen; Beckett and Sofia Araya; Jacob, Hannah and Brandon Ristad; Ian and Alexis Ristad; a sister-in-law, Marion Blehm, Bemidji, MN; a brother-in-law, Robert Anderson (Marge), Warroad, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Helga, Arnold, Ellsworth, Victor, Floyd and their spouses.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Two River Lutheran Church located at the museum site in Lake Bronson, Minnesota.  Rev. Katherine Michael, officiating. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. A reception lunch follows immediately after the service. A private burial will be the Two River Cemetery, rural Hallock.  Memorials are preferred to the Two River Cemetery Association.