L. Ardell Gigstad, 91, of Maddock, ND, passed away Monday, February 27, 2017 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey, ND. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating. Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND on Friday, March 3, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a family service beginning at 7:00 PM. Burial will take place at the North Viking Lutheran Cemetery in Maddock, ND. Special music will be provided by Ardell's granddaughters: Chelsea Stika and Shannon Burgard. Organist will be Jennifer Hagen. Casket Bearers will be all of Ardell's grandchildren and Honorary Casket Bearers will be all of Ardell's great-grandchildren.

Lawrence Ardell Gigstad was born February 9, 1926 to Rudolph and Alice (Lageson) Gigstad in Heimdal, ND. In 1928 the family moved to a farmstead in Arne Township Southwest of Maddock. He was educated at Arne School near the family farm through 8th grade and farmed with his parents until he was united in marriage to Gloria Lou Beverly Simonson on November 28, 1952 at the Maddock Parsonage. The couple resided on the family farmstead where they grew crops and raised cattle until they moved to a home in Maddock, ND in 2006.

He was a longtime member of the North Viking Lutheran Church and served on the board, member of the Maddock School Board, served on the Arne Township Board, repaired and maintained school buses at the Maddock Public School, and member of the Viking Mutual Insurance Board.

Ardell had many unique talents that included turning lathe work, blacksmithing, welding, inventing, mechanic work on farm equipment and vehicles, and concrete and building construction. Ardell was always willing to lend a helping hand to neighbors and others who needed his expertise. Ardell's hobbies included fishing and camping with family, playing cards, dancing with his wife, but he especially enjoyed his life on the farm.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gloria; children: three daughters, Judy (Paul) Kallenbach of Maddock, Vicky (Don) Ystaas of Sheyenne, Karen (Lloyd) Burgard of Grand Forks, and one son, Kevin (Janine) Gigstad of Maddock; 13 grandchildren: Becky (Chris) Sanders, Brook (Eric) Olson, Erica (Travis) Hoffner, Chad (Carli) Ystaas, Melissa (Dan) Melaas, Justin (Liza) Ystaas, Lacey (Jeremy) Meyer, Melissa (Rick) Burgard Foster, Chelsea (Tanner) Stika, Shannon Burgard, Dylan Gigstad, Alexis Gigstad and Logan Gigstad; 20 great grandchildren, Riley Sanders, Piper Sanders, Kinsey Olson, Connor Olson, Bennett Hoffner, Wesley Hoffner, Brantley Hoffner, Chasyn Ystaas, Codyn Ystaas, Cade Melaas, McKenna Melaas, Jaya Melaas, Kaelyn Ystaas, Casey Ystaas, Jace Ystaas, Kashton Meyer, Brielle Meyer, Aria Meyer, Robert Foster and Angelina Foster.

Ardell was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Alice (Lageson) Gigstad; a brother, Roy; grandson, John Michael and great granddaughter, Gracie.