Harry Nysather

Entered peacefully into Heaven in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, July 8, 2006, surrounded by his loving wife Louise, family and many friends. This occurred while he was a patient at the St. Cloud Hospital intensive care unit following surgeries for two heart stents, as well as removal of a massive blood clot on his right brain which was unexpected.

Harry Nysather was born August 14, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY to Olav & Margit (Stenberg) Nysather. He attended elementary school at Bovina Center, NY and graduated from high school in 1947 at Stoughton, WI. This was followed by a four year machinist apprenticeship at Gisholt Machine Company in Madison, WI. From 1952 to 1954, he served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War, and on May 22, 1954, he married Louise Okland in Madison, WI. He graduated from Stout State University at Menomonie, WI in 1957 and also received his Master's Degree in 1959 in vocational technical education. In 1957, he taught machine shop in Janesville, WI and was also the Trade and Industrial Coordinator. Harry then moved to Brainerd in 1964 where he founded the Brainerd Technical College and served as Director for 27 years. During that time he was President of the Minnesota Technical College Presidents and also served on the boards of Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp., Rotary Club, Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce, Bremer Bank, Initiative Foundation, First Presbyterian Church and Bethany Good Samaritan Village. After his retirement in 1991, Harry had been involved with the Central Lakes College Foundation, Community Education, Retired Technical Institute Directors, Kid's Voting, Lakewood Evangelical Free Church Elder Board, Kiwanis Ice Fishing Contest, Bible studies, and doing volunteer work in the CLC welding shop. His hobbies were wood turning, fishing, golfing, gardening, cooking and traveling across the US and to Norway and China. He also greatly enjoyed spending time with his entire family.

Harry is survived by his wife, Louise, of 52 years, who was also his best friend; sons, David Nysather, Desert Hot Springs, CA, James Nysather, San Francisco, CA; daughter, Elsa Weiss, Anza, CA; grandchildren, Kristina Nysather, St. Paul, MN, Michael Nysather, St. Louis Park, MN, Freda Banks, San Francisco, CA, Jurgen and Olaf Weiss, Anza, CA; great-grandson, Shawn Nysather of New Jersey; sister, Janet (Rudy) Silbaugh, Stoughton, WI; brother, Dr. J.P. (Joan) Nysather, Fort Atkinson, WI; sister-in-law, Marilyn Nysather, Dixon, IL; many nieces and nephews and many relatives in Norway. Harry was preceded in death by his parents who emigrated from Norway; one son, Stephen Nysather at age 24; and one brother, Olaf Nysather. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Friday, July 14, 2006, (which is also Louise's birthday) at the Halvorson- Johnson Funeral Home, Brainerd, MN and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday, July 15, 2006 at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter, with Pastor Dan Werthman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Harry Nysather CLC Scholarship, Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, or Bethany Good Samaritan Village. Harry's recent accomplishment was compiling a book called "Meditations In the Night" which was a real joy for him to give away to his family and friends and is truly a legacy. Vocational education and his church have always remained very close and dear to his heart.

Arrangements are with the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home