Thorbjorn “Tom” Nosterud
1928 – 2021
Dad was born, Thorbjorn Nosterud, to Lauritz and Aarny on May 29th, 1928, near Brooks, Alberta. He spent his early years on farms in the Brooks and later the Tilley district. He became known as Tom, thanks to his first-grade teacher who decided to give him an English name. It was in Tilley that Dad was introduced to the Lutheran Church, and he was confirmed there as a teenager. He was a life-long member in the church and served in many roles there as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, deacon, and usher. It was a sad day for him when he had to give up his position assisting with communion to let the younger generation take over.
Dad’s dream was to own a farm and he worked many jobs in the winter season to make this happen. In 1962, he was finally able to buy land in Tilley and here he set up a home for himself and his parents. A few years later, he met Mom and they married in 1966. On the farm, the family grew to four children and a second house was built to give his parents their own home. In 1998, the farm was sold, and Dad and Mom retired to Seven Persons where they have continued to live to the present.
One of Dad’s joys was his wood-working shop both on the farm and later in the garage at Seven Persons. He spent many hours creating things out of salvaged pieces of wood, most of which were given away to family and friends from all over. The Bow Island Lutheran Church VBS program was also a beneficiary as he created projects for the children to make for themselves.
Dad was also an avid lover of music. When he was young, there was no money for instruments but as an adult, he purchased his first button accordion which he taught himself to play. With this, he liked to entertain family and friends, as well as at the nursing home in Brooks and the kindergarten class at Tilley school with daughter, Wendy on the piano accordion.
Another joy of Dad’s was travel. He and Mom took many trips together, including 4 trips to Disneyland and once to Disneyworld. I am sure if the kids or grandkids had announced they were going, he would have rallied himself to go again, too. He also made his dream trip to Norway to visit family there and see where his parents grew up.
Dad also enjoyed reading many different subjects. He was the only person I know who read and entire set of encyclopedias from A to Z. Some of his favorite material was theology and WW2 which he liked to discuss with whoever would listen.
Dad’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great pleasure to him as he watched them play and grow up.
Dad is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sarah; daughter, Wendy (Don Barg); grandchildren, Tabetha (Dean Hystad) and Crystal (Kyle Welz); great-grandchildren, Callum and Annika Hystad and Levi Welz; son, Thomas (Karen) and grandchildren, Adam, Katriel, Matana, Ava, Shira, Joelle, Erella, Tova, Renisha, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Kathy and grandchildren, Micheal, Aiden and Bryce; daughter, Charlene (Dennis Mytrunec) and grandchildren, Jonas, Kristopher, and Megan; sisters, Karen and Elsa (Dean Hendricksen); brothers, Leif (Joan) and Rolf (Grace); as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; son, Jerry; infant sister and brother-in-law, Ove Pederson.
A Graveside service will be held on October 2nd, 2021 at 2pm at the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, Tilley, Alberta. Condolences may be made at www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by GRACE MEMORIAL AFFORDABLE BURIAL & CREMATION 1924 10th Ave NW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 403-905-0440 info@gracememorial.com.
