Robert “Yabo” Gjellstad

Velva

Robert “Yabo” Gjellstad, 68, Velva, ND, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2023, in his home with his family at his side.

Robert Wayne Gjellstad was born on March 28, 1955, to Walter and Marlys (Lee) Gjellstad in Minot, ND. On April 24, 1955, Yabo would be baptized at Verendrye Lutheran Church. Later, on April 15, 1970, he was confirmed at StenKjaer Lutheran Church. Yabo was raised on the Gjellstad Farm near Verendrye, ND.

Yabo would spend his first grade year at Simcoe, ND where he was very proud to be the youngest Huskie. His second grade through 12th grade years were at Velva Public School, graduating from Velva High School in 1973, He furthered his education by attending North Dakota State University, (NDSU), Fargo, ND. In 1977, he graduated from NDSU with a double major in Mechanical Ag and Ag Education. Yabo was very proud of his alma mater, being a member of the Theta Chi Brothers, the Rahjahs and was a strong NDSU Booster.

Following graduation, Yabo would teach VO-AG in Carrington, ND from 1977 – 1979. Later, he worked for IH Credit Corp., where he called on IH dealers in the Southwest part of North Dakota.

On April 4, 1981, he was united in marriage to Donene Lutman at Trinity Lutheran in Carrington, ND. In the spring of 1982, the family moved to rural Velva to take over the family farm where they raised their three children. Yabo farmed and ranched for twenty years. Later, he would also work for the NDSU Research Center in Minot and manage the South McHenry County Soil Conservation District until he retired in December of 2018.

Throughout the years, Yabo was a member of many different organizations and boards including the Hendrickson Township Board, McHenry County Water Board, N.D. Stockmans Association, N.D. Game and Fish Advisory Board, and serving as the Treasurer for the Velva Rural Fire District.

Yabo had many hobbies that included hunting, pinochle, cribbage, other card games, trivia, and one of his favorites, Bison football.

Yabo is survived by his wife Donene Kay Gjellstad, Velva; sons: Jason (Amanda) Gjellstad, Sioux Falls, SD, Paul (Matia) Gjellstad, Bismarck; daughter: Angella (David) Wald, Bismarck; grandchildren: Ella, Conrad, Brielle, Lyla, Maicey, Everly, Iver, Everett, and Millie. brother: Roger (Renae) Gjellstad, Stanley; sisters: Leann (Ted) Dilse, Scranton, Laurel (Lee) Bjornstad, Vancouver, WA; mother-in-law: Lois Lutman; several in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Gerald Lutman.

Visitation: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4 to 5 pm at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

Family Prayer Service: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 5 pm at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva.

Funeral Service: Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 10:30 am at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva

The service will be video recorded for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Interment: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Verendrye

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Velva.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 30, 2023.