Juel Alton Prestegaard, 82, of Northwood, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.
Juel Alton Prestegaard was born on April 18, 1927 in Northwood, the son of Edward and Olga (Hendrickson) Prestegaard. Juel was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on Sept. 13, 1942 at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, rural Glenville, Minn. Juel attended school in Carpenter and Northwood. After his schooling, Juel helped his family on the family farm before his induction into the Army on July 10, 1945 at Ft. Snelling, Minn. He served his country faithfully during World War II until his honorable discharge on Dec. 10, 1946, receiving the World War II Victory medal. 
He was united in marriage to Bernice Graber on Nov. 14, 1948 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Rose Creek, Minn. and to this union nine children were born: Marcia, Bonnie, Bruce, Sheryl, Jeff, Sandra, Becky, Richard and Gary. 
Bernice preceded him in death on July 4, 1997.
After his marriage, Juel worked for various farmers until his retirement in 1991 due to ill health. 
Juel enjoyed hunting, the outdoors, playing canasta, and watching wrestling on TV, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren.
He was a member of Deer Creek Lutheran Church, rural Carpenter.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Marcia Prestegaard of Northwood, Bonnie Kellogg of Stillwater, Minn., Bruce (Cynthia) Prestegaard of Forest Lake, Minn., Sheryl Prestegaard of Maplewood, Minn., Jeff (Susan) Prestegaard of Randolph, Minn., Sandra Kunz of Mason City, Becky (Barry) Edson of Maplewood, Minn., Richard Prestegaard of Dellwood, Minn. and Gary (Jeannie) Prestegaard of St. Paul, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sylvia (Louis) Schuster and Ethel (Eldon) Norland, both of Austin; a sister-in-law, Lorene Schrag of Carpenter; many nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.
 Juel was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Olga; wife, Bernice; brothers, Orin and Elmer Prestegaard; and two sisters-in-law, Marlys and Marion Prestegaard.
A funeral service for Juel will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, rural Carpenter, with the Rev. Barbara Wills officiating. Burial will be in the Deer Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery with military honors conducted by members of Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post #6779 of Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service time on Friday at the church.
The family of Juel Prestegaard has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Lutheran Retirement Home in his memory. 
 Conner Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.