Martin Arthur (Art) Bustad, 86, died Sept. 24, 2018, at the Silver Bay Veterans Home in Silver Bay, Minnesota.

He was born April 11, 1932, to Martin and Emma (Ryerson) Bustad in Austin, Minnesota. He graduated from Austin High School in 1950 and from St. Olaf College in 1954. He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant. in 1954. He served in the Air Force for two years and in the Reserves for an additional 12 years, achieving the rank of captain.

In 1954, he married the love of his life, Corinne Jovaag. They were blessed with a wonderful marriage and three lovely children, Marcus, Aana and Jonas.

He was an elegant, steadfast Christian man who served God, his country and his family faithfully. He owned a construction company and farms in Austin, a peat mining company in Florida and, just before retirement, became a successful realtor in the metro area in Minnesota. He also served on the Board of First National Bank in Austin and was a past president of the Minnesota Limestone Producers Association. He was a member and served as president of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, St. John Lutheran Church in Winter Park, Florida, St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and New Salem Lutheran Church in Bemidji, Minnesota.

He loved music and literature, sang bass in church choirs and played the bass fiddle in high school and in the St. Olaf College Orchestra. He also loved boats and boating, which included his 50-foot Chris Craft (which he took all the way down the Mississippi through Florida to the Bahamas) as well as his pontoon boat on Big Turtle Lake in Bemidji and many in between.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne; son, Marcus (Jane Neumiller); daughter, Aana (Doug Jahnke); son, Jonas; two grandchildren, Sarah Bustad and David Bustad; his brother-in-law, the Rev. Arvid (Lois) Jovaag; sister-in-law, Shirley Jovaag; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Emma Bustad; and sister, Arlene Bustad.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at New Salem Lutheran Church in Bemidji with Pastors Arvid Jovaag and Terry Hagensen officiating. Cremation will be carried out by the Cremation Society of Minnesota, LLC.