Milton Oliver Folkestad, age 100, Died March 24, 2019. He was born February 20, 1919 to Jacob and Ida Folkestad, in Wilmot, South Dakota. At an early age, he worked the family homestead with his father and brothers and sisters. During the great depression, Milton at age 14 was sent to work in Minnesota for food and board and small wages.
During World War II, at the age of 20, Milton was deployed with the Army in the Pacific Theater. He received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
At the end of the War, Milton moved to Yakima, in Washington State where he worked and married Mary C. Rickett. They had one daughter Luana Rae. After a few years in Yakima, Milton moved with his daughter to Sacramento. Milton worked for the Sacramento Schools as a custodian until his retirement.
Milton and his daughter Luana loved camping and fishing during summer vacations. Milton’s mother Ida also lived with them in Sacramento. Milton and Ida joined the Sons of Norway and became involved in the local Lutheran Church.
Milton met and married Ola Mattie Reid, also a Veteran of WWII, during his time in Sacramento. Milton and Ola had many happy years together. After their retirement, they moved to Redmond, Oregon to be close to Milton’s family. After Ola’s death in 1991, Milton moved to Lovelock, Nevada to be close to Ola’s Children and Grandchildren.
In Lovelock, Milton met and Married Martha Sanchez in 2000. They were married until 2012. In 2012 Milton moved to Chelan Washington to be close to his only surviving sister, Ruth Giffin and her family. In 2014, Milton moved to Salem Oregon for a change of weather and to enjoy a social life with his long time good friends Guy and MaryAnn Scott and Bill Williams.
After a slight stroke in 2016, Milton could no longer live alone in his home. Martha Sanchez Folkestad agreed to become his care giver and they enjoyed life, gardening and good friends until his passing. The nieces and nephews would like to thank Martha for taking good care of Milton until his final days.
Milton is preceded in death by his, Parents, Jacob and Ida, wife Mary (Casey), his daughter Luana, his grandson, his wife Ola, his brothers and sisters Orlyn, Alice (Hanson), Lenor, John, Thelma (Cooper), Selmer, Elmer, Ruth (Giffin), and Aaron. Milton is survived by his Step Daughters Sharon and Sandra and their children and grand children, and his ex wife Martha Sanchez Folkestad. Milton has 25 nephews and nieces and many great nephews and nieces.
We will all miss him. At 100 years old, he still had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing cards.
Services are to be held April 13, 2019 in Redmond Oregon, at 11 am.
