Conrad Stai, of Montevideo, died Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Luther Haven Nursing Home at the age of 99.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Dr. Mari L. Thorkelson officiating. Burial will be at Terrace Lawn Memory Gardens. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
Conrad Stai was born on January 6, 1918 to Halvor M. And Clara (Bruun) Stai near Pinewood, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in the Buzzle Church. He had his elementary education at the Buzzle School and completed high school in Bemidji. He received his teaching degree at Bemidji State Teachers College. He later went on to obtain his Masters of Arts Degree from the University of North Dakota.
Conrad was united in marriage to Dorothy Alice Whiting on July 20, 1941. From this union four children were born, Dee Ann, Harlan, Gerald and Roger. He was employed at the Consolidated School #48 at Northern, Minnesota and taught 5th and 6th graders there for three years. Following his discharge from the Air Force he taught high school Art in New London and Montevideo, teaching a total of 40 years. Throughout his life he was a conscientious and diligent worker teaching not only at the high school level but also teaching adult classes and off campus college classes at Bemidji, Mankato and Moorhead. He retired from teaching in 1980.
Conrad served in the U.S. Air Force for 1942-1946. His main job was at the Pentagon where he worked in the Long Range Weather Forecasting and Weather Illustration. He illustrated a weather map seven days a week for General Arnold, Commander for the Air Force. Conrad served as Commander of The George Bruun Post of the American Legion #438 from 1946 to 1948.
Over the years Conrad enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, as well as skiing, fishing, square dancing, painting, woodcarving and traveling with his family. While teaching in New London he coached the baseball team. Conrad was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church having served as Youth Director and President of the congregation. He was very active and instrumental in the Boy Scout program in Montevideo area as well as at the District level. He served as a scouter, a Scoutmaster, Roundtable Commissioner and Director of Training for the Lakota District. He also served as Scoutmaster for the National Jamborees in Farragut, Idaho and Philmont, New Mexico and for the 13th World Jamboree in Japan.
Conrad is survived by his wife of 75 years, Dorothy; his children: Dee Ann Davis, Harlan (Dian) Stai, Gerald (Mary) Stai, and Roger (Stephanie) Stai; grandchildren: Bryan (Barbara) Ray, Aaron (Sarah) Stai, Deborah Carson, Steven (Brandy) Stai, Allison (Jed Steward) Stai, Martha Stai, Brian (Kathryn) Stai, and Charles Stai, great-grandchildren: Emerson, Tate, Megan, Lauren, Kaitlyn, Chris, and LeeAnn; great-great grandchildren: Mackenzie, CJ and Elwood; and brother, George (Betty) Stai.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Halvor and Clara, and his brothers, Martin (Elsie) and Iver Stai.