Joseph Alexander Fjelstad II (Joe, AKA "Buster") passed away Jan. 16, 2021, at the age of 93.

He was born in Ray, N.D., to Rev. Joseph Fjelstad and Marie Stenehjem Fjelstad. The family moved to Decorah, Iowa, where Joe graduated from high school.

An enthusiastic athlete, he played football, basketball, and golf. He joined the Air Force right out of high school to help in the war effort. When the war ended, Joe returned to attend Luther College, started the Luther Golf Team, transferred to St. Olaf College, and married his sweetheart, Colleen Wangsness.

In 1956, Joe and Colleen moved their family to Minneapolis. Joe worked in the insurance industry for 38 years as a salesman and agency owner. He and Colleen retired in 1997 and moved to Phoenix, while summering at their cottage on Lake Lida in northern Minnesota.

Joe loved to fish. He especially enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren. In his late 80's Joe was the racquetball Champion of Arizona in his age group. Joe continued to play golf, achieving a handicap of three at one time. He enjoyed playing cards at his country clubs, and at the Edina Library with kind younger men who picked him up when he gave up driving.

Joe and Colleen moved back to St. Louis Park in 2016 just in time for winter. Church attendance and his faith was important to Joe. He was a longtime member of Westwood Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir.

Joe is predeceased by his parents and three sisters: Marie (Fjelstad) Posz ‘47 (Conrad), Dagny (Fjelstad) Christiansen ‘50 (Holger Christianson ‘50), and Sylvia (Fjelstad) Grant ’48 (Wally Grant ‘50). He is survived by his wife Colleen, daughter Sandra Gilbert (Bruce) and son Alex Fjelstad ’73 (Susan), four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, as well as his large extended family and friends. A celebration of Joe's life will be planned at a later date.