Elmer Hillesland

Elmer B. Hillesland, 81, Grand Forks, died Thursday, December 18, 2008, in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Elmer Bernhard Hillesland was born to Edwin and Mabel (Hovde) Hillesland on September 9, 1927, at Aneta, North Dakota. He attended school at rural Aneta, and graduated from Aneta High School. Elmer graduated with a BS in Agriculture from NDSU. He served in the US Army from 1946-1948 with the occupation forces stationed in Japan. Elmer Hillesland and Betty Nygaard were married on July 3, 1953, at Finley, North Dakota. They lived in Aneta where he taught agriculture to veterans. In 1955, they moved to Grand Forks where Elmer was employed by the Federal Land Bank Association for 27 years, serving his last 11 years as President. He then went on to serve as a farm credit counselor for the ND Extension Service and farm with his 2 sons. Elmer was involved with a sister city exchange between Grand Forks and Ishim, Soviet Union. Through Winrock International's Farmer to Farmer Program, Elmer established an agriculture credit union in the Kyrgyz Republic. In 1992, he was appointed to the ND State Water Commission by Governor Ed Schafer and served until 2008. Elmer also served on the Calvary Lutheran Church Council, the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee, and Troop 20 Boy Scout Committee. Elmer is survived by his wife, Betty, children, David (Lisa) Hillesland, Aneta, Don (Jamie) Hillesland, Aneta, and Jane (Allen) Merrill, Grand Forks, 6 grandchildren (Ryan & Matt, Kari & Ben, Danielle & Taylor), a brother, Manley (Ann) Hillesland, Bismarck, North Dakota, sisters, Alice Mae (Leroy) Hjelmstad, and Mary Ann (Wayne) Lee, both of Bloomington, Minnesota. He is also survived by several wonderful nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. Elmer was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Services: will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 22, 2008, in Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S. 9th St., Grand Forks. Visitation: 1-3 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. Prayer Service Sunday, December 21, 2008, in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks and one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks