Dr. William Trygstad

Dr. William Marcus Trygstad passed away on January 12, 2009 at the Augustana Care Center, Hastings, MN at age 91. Bill was born in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar on December 19, 1917 to Reverend William and Martha (nee Haaland) Trygstad who served as Lutheran missionaries there for many years and was raised in Madagascar, Bemidji, Minnesota and White Sulfur Springs, Montana. He enlisted in the US Navy in December, 1941 and served aboard the mine sweeper USS Spectacle as a Pharmacist's Mate. He was honored to be of service to his country for six years.

Before and after WWII, he attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota graduating with a BA degree in chemistry in 1948. He then attended the University of Minnesota, receiving his D.D.S. degree in June of 1952. He practiced dentistry in Morris, MN, at the University of Minnesota Health Service, had a private practice in Minneapolis, and also taught at the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry.

On June 17, 1942, Bill married Nina Stahn, daughter of Edward and Frieda Stahn of Morris, living in Morris from 1953 – 1957. Nina passed away in 1957. In 1961, Bill married Florraine Hoffman Wangen in Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Caroline Johnson, his half-sister, Helen Plowman, his brother, Rev. Martin Trygstad, two infant children and one infant grandchild.

Bill is survived by Florraine, his second wife of 47 years, his children: son, Wm. Marcus Jr. (Robin) of Houston TX, daughters Jody (Larry) Hoffman of Hastings, and Kirsti Trygstad of Cannon Falls, MN. Grandchildren: Hillary, Kristina, Grant, Alex, and Matthew, two half-sisters, Alice Thomsen and Gladys Rood of CA and sisters-in-law, Faye Wohlrabe and Malinda (Peg) Meyer, Morris, MN, Elva Meyer, Springfield, MN, Orpha Bennington, Mpls, MN, Fern Anderson, Bellville, OH and brother-in-law, Dr. Louis (Cora) Stahn, Sartell, MN.

Private funeral services will be held at the Wise Funeral Home, Hastings, MN on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park, St. Anthony, MN immediately after the service, followed with a luncheon to rejoice in his life. Memorials are preferred to World Missions of the ELCA (designate Madagascar).

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