Lonnie O. Honstad

Lonnie O. Honstad, age 75, of Lake Crystal, died on Friday, March 31, 2023, peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal.  Visitation will be Friday, April 14 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in the Lake Crystal Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lake Crystal Fire Department, Lake Crystal Ambulance Service, and Zion Lutheran Youth Program. 

Lonnie was born on July 12, 1947, the son of Otis and Erma (Engelby) Honstad in Buffalo Center, IA.  He grew up in Frost, MN and then moved to Freeborn, graduating from Freeborn High School in 1965.  Lonnie served in the United States Air Force from 1965-1969.  He was stationed in Florida, the Philippines, where he learned to fly, and Vietnam, where he worked as a fuel system mechanic on C130 airplanes.  Lonnie was on the same base as his brother, Les for 180 days.  He returned to the U.S. to North Carolina before being honorably discharged.  Lonnie worked at Gate 35 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and then Southwest Air Motive selling aircraft parts. 

Lonnie moved to Lake Crystal in October 1971 after buying a 1971 Monte Carlo, which he still has today.  He worked with his dad and brother, Doyle at the Skelly Gas Station.  He then owned and operated Honstad’s Repair and RV Rentals in Lake Crystal.  Lonnie was very dedicated to his business.  He was a member of the Wells VFW and the Lake Crystal American Legion. 

Lonnie is survived by Nancy Hanson, the love of his life; son, Ryan (Angie) Honstad and grandson, Matthew of New Ulm; brother, Doyle (Cathryn) Honstad of Pine Island, MN; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and “the coffee crew.”  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Les (Sonja) Honstad; and his beloved Blue Chow dog, Buff.