Dallas Hillestad, 80, 300 Main St. South, Velva, formerly of Minot, died Monday, January 1, 2007, in a Velva Care Center.

Dallas was born July 28th, 1926, on the family farm in Isabel Township, Benson County, North Dakota, the daughter of Thorwald & Betsy (Fossen) Olson.  She was raised on the family farm and attended the Isabel School.

Dallas was united in marriage to Norman M. Hillestad  April 3, 1944, on the Harold Blomster Farm near Baker, North Dakota. They met at a dance and had enjoyed dancing for 61 years.  They resided in York, Devils Lake, Finley, Maddock, Minot, Bismarck, Hettinger, Mitchell S.D. and returned to Minot in 1986 after Norman’s retirement.  

Dallas worked for many years as a nurses aide at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot, and at the hospital in Hettinger, ND.  Her most rewarding occupation was that of mother to her five children and loving wife to Norman.

Dallas’ favorite things in life included spending time with her 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  She loved to bake, especially Norwegian goodies, breads, and doughnuts.  Her other pastimes included Bingo with her friends and working in her gardens.

Her loving family includes: Children: Norma (Allan) Opperude, Donna (Gordon) Wallace, Curtis (Paulette) Hillestad, Timothy (Diane) Hillestad, Tamara (Andrew) Jetter; Grandchildren: Dean Opperude, Darin (Kelly) Opperude, Dana (David) Johnson, Darcie (Kevin) Ell, Stacie (Matthew) Sharp, Jamie (Gabe) Vigil, Joshua Wallace, Scott (Melanie) & Todd Hillestad, Travis & Sarah Hillestad, Drew, Ashley, & Lorin Jetter; Great-Grandchildren: Robbie (Carisa) & Ramee Opperude, Shane & Riley Opperude, Kylee & Reed Johnson, Lincoln, Hayden, Becker Ell, Connor & Haakon Irey, & Tatum Dellas Sharp, Gage Hillestad, Ensley Poindexter, Kylee & Asher Severance; Great-Great Grandchildren: Angelina & London Opperude. Sisters: Florence Johnson, Joy Sylling, Alice Lee, and sister-in-law, Alma Olson. Dallas loved and enjoyed her many nieces and nephews.  Dallas’ family includes her very dear friend and care giver,  Karon Kasprowicz.

Dallas was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; parents; sisters: Evelyn, Twila, Tillie, & Doris; brothers: Edwin &  Stanton.

Funeral Service: Friday, January 5, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Memorials: Preferred to Fairview Church Cemetery Fund, Souris Valley Care Center, or Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

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