Maynard Odell Tingelstad

The heavenly choir sounds a little sweeter today, a little richer.

Maynard Odell Tingelstad, 88, of Grand Forks, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Altru Hospital.

Maynard’s love of music was evident all through his life singing solos, duets, traveling with the Ambassadors from Dakota Lutheran, the Concordia concert choir, church choirs culminating with the male quartet, The Messengers, from University Lutheran Church.  He always sang sacred music – wanting to bring the message of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Maynard was born on the family farm north of St. John, ND the son of Melvin and Olga (Holum) Tingelstad.  He grew up there and attended schools in St. John, Dakota Lutheran High School in Minot, Concordia College, graduating from Minot State with a BS in Music.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.

Maynard found his soulmate in Inez Larson and they were married on January 4, 1953 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rolla, ND.  They were blessed with 67 years together.  Their family lived on the farm, then in Minot when he went back to college, in Granville where he taught school, settling in Grand Forks in 1967. 

Maynard worked for Poppler’s Music Store for 14 years before entering the insurance industry with AAL and Lutheran Brotherhood.

He liked to spend time with his family making countless trips to CA to visit their daughters.  He liked to bowl, golf, play cards and help out at ULC.  A few of Maynard’s many gifts passed on to his children were his strong faith, work ethic, musical talent, ability to fix things, and people skills. His mental toughness and physical strength were exceptional just like the strength he provided to his family when they needed him.   

Survivors include his wife, Inez, daughter Cindy (Rick) Asebedo of Oceanside CA; son, Greg (Barb) of Grand Forks; grandchildren, Sunnie (Roland) Young, Tony Bertorelli, Adam Tingelstad and Nindie (Sergio) Berumen; great-grandchildren, Jackie, Cheyanne, Marcus and Ryan and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Del; daughter, Debbie Bertorelli of Strathmore CA; daughter, Becky Doiron of La Mesa, CA; his parents; siblings, Myrlin, Jeannette, Myron, Marilyn and Norma and great-grandchild, Stephen Asebedo.

A celebration of Maynard’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2020 at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service at University Lutheran Church.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials are preferred to University Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, N.D.