Sterling "Buddy" Duane Fjerstad

Sterling Duane “Buddy” Fjerstad, 88, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 9th, 2019, in Deer River, MN surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on June 1st, 1931 to Selmer and Emma (Langseth) Fjerstad and grew up on the family farm in Hayfield, MN. From 1952-1954 Sterling served in the United States Army as an ambulance driver. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, Gibbs Barrecks, 4th Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was a proud member of the Hayfield American Legion Post 330 and Deer River VFW Post 2720. He married Shirley Ann Steile on August 13th 1955 in the Little Brown Church. Sterling was a man of many faculties during his lifetime. They lived in West St. Paul, MN where he worked road construction. They then moved to Stewartville, MN where he owned a Tastee-Freez Restaurant. In 1970 they moved to St. Francis, MN where he owned several businesses before becoming a Real Estate Business Broker. Sterling purchased a cabin on Sand Lake in Squaw Lake, MN and eventually moved to Coleraine, MN where he continued his Real Estate career. Upon selling his cabin on Sand Lake, he purchased another cabin on Little Sand Lake where he enjoyed many sunsets on the porch. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He loved country music, playing his guitar, singing, and would gladly pick a song for anyone who would ask. He loved his family, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and often said holding a child in your arms is as close to Heaven as you can get. Children would bring a wonderful smile and happiness to his heart. Sterling is survived by, 2 sons; Neal (Kelly), Gregory, 2 daughters; Benita, Karrie (Frank) Prebeck, grandchildren; Amanda (Mike) Erke, Emily, Jesse (Amanda) Hoffmeister, Justin Gully. Felicia (Nick) Loney, Fallon (Zack) Ratzlow and 10 great grandchildren. Brothers; Donald (Mickey), Kenneth (Barb). Sisters; Betty Andrist, Glenda (Paul) Flores and Judy (Gary) Lorimore and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister LaVonne, brothers Richard and Farrell. Go rest high on that mountain, son your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Visitation will be Saturday July 20th, 2019, 1:00 PM at the Carroll Funeral Home in Deer River, MN. Service to follow at 2:00 PM.

Burial Service to be held on July 27th, 2019, 1:00 PM at the Hayfield American Legion Post, Hayfield, MN where he will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN.

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