Riedar Sivertson

Riedar Sivertson was born March 1, 1910 in Spokane, Washington, to Sivert and Agyda Sporstol. He grew up on the family farm near Ørsta, Norway. He was baptized and confirmed in the Ørsta Lutheran Church. He attended grade school and the local trade school in Ørsta, where he learned blacksmithing, machine tool operation, and blue print drafting. After initially working with his father as a carpenter, he would later spend a winter with the fishing fleet.

Riedar returned to the United States in 1928, and lived with his cousins near Echo. He worked on area farms for a while before working on road construction. In 1937, Riedar was united in marriage to Mildred Knutson of Rock Valley Township in Maynard, Minnesota.

When the war began, Riedar joined the Civilian Corp constructing the AlCan Highway. While there, he received his draft notice and returned to Minnesota, but failed his physical. He went on to work for Northern Ordinance, a defense plant, in Minneapolis until the war's conclusion.

Their son, Jerome, was born in 1944. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Belview where Riedar had purchased a blacksmith shop.

Their daugher, JoAnn was born in 1951.

In 1958, the family moved to Marshall, where Riedar worked as a welder, machinist, and heavy equipment mechanic for Rund Equipment Repair, which later became the Marshall branch of Zeigler Caterpillar Sales and Service. Riedar retired from Zeigler's in 1975.

Riedar served on the church council and was active in church activities for many years.

Riedar enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and traveling. He was a folk painter and woodcarver. He learned to use the computer and liked to keep in touch with family via email. He liked spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandson.

Riedar and Mildred moved to Garnet Gardens in Redwood Falls in 2005.

Riedar is survived by his wife, Mildred, son, Jerome, daughter, JoAnn (and Dean) Gloemke; grandchildren, Roman (and Angela) Bloemke and Sarah Bloemke; great-grandchild, Cameron Bloemke; and siblings, Gunnar Sporstol of Ørsta, Norway, and Ingebjorg Sporstol of Mjolkeraen, Norway. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sivert and Agyda Sporstol; sister, Ebelyn, and brothers, Einar, Olav, and Sigurd Sporstol.

Riedar died on January 6, 2008 at the age of 97 years, 10 months & 5 days.

Blessed be the memory of Riedar Sivertson.

Have a Tribute for Riedar Sivertson?

Would you like to share your memories of Riedar Sivertson?

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...