Joseph Solstad

Joseph H. Solstad, 80, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, died Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in Valley Memorial Home Woodside Village, Grand Forks. Joseph Hans Solstad was born October 26, 1932 in Grand Forks, the son of Joseph and Sigrid (Thorgrimsen) Solstad. He was raised and educated in Grand Forks and graduated from Central High School in 1951. Joe attended Aaker's Business College and then entered the U. S. Navy in 1952. He served in Europe and was honorably discharged in 1956. Joe returned to Grand Forks and tried his hand as an Amway distributor, but his first love was photography, and that is the career he followed for the rest of his working years. He was a freelance photographer for the Grand Forks Herald, and later worked as a photographer for Cooper Studio. He totally enjoyed photography and even developed and printed most of his own work in a dark room he set up by himself in his home. Joe was a lifelong member of United Lutheran Church, where he spent many hours, and was a fixture at many church functions, nearly always with his camera hanging around his neck, snapping away to chronicle each event. For several years Joe was a regular daily visitor to Mountainbrooke in downtown Grand Forks, where he could rest and relax, watch TV, read, visit with friends, and help out with minor chores. Joe is survived by many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 30, 2013 in the chapel of United Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Following the service, Military Honors will take place at Joe's gravesite in Memorial Park Cemetery and will be provided by the North Dakota Army National Guard, the American legion Post #157 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3817. Graveside Burial Services took place on July 26, 2013 in Memorial Park Cemetery.