Lad Ourada, 96

A memorial service for Lad A. Ourada, 96, of Spicer, formerly of Walnut Grove, will be at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Willmar.

He died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at his home.

He was born June 18, 1912, in Westline Township, Redwood County, to Anton and Rose (Benedict) Ourada. He graduated from Milroy High School in 1931, attended Mankato Business College and apprenticed as a blacksmith.

He and Mae Harlan were married Nov. 24, 1938, in Storden. They lived in Walnut Grove their entire married life. He owned and operated Lad’s Blacksmith (later Lad’s Manufacturing and Repair) in Walnut Grove for 37 years. He was active in the Walnut Grove community serving as justice of the peace for 20 years, a member of the fire department where he served as chief, and held office in the Walnut Grove Community Club. He was state president of the Minnesota Blacksmith and Welders Association for many years. Lad was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting and fishing and at age 93 was the oldest licensed bow hunter in Minnesota. If it could be repaired, Lad was able to repair it but yet those same hands could bake the best apple pies, kolachy and oatmeal cookies. Lad loved to write letters and stories about the “olden days” in his perfect penmanship.

His first wife died in August 1993. He and Beatrice Ronning were married May 20, 1995, in Spicer. They lived in Spicer.

Survivors include his wife, Beatrice; two sons Stephen (and Bette) and Richard (and Vicki) of Walnut Grove; two brothers, Edward (and Arlis) of Walnut Grove and Anthony of Spencer Iowa; eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, his daughter Rosalie Dehn, two sisters, (Agnes Ourada and Rose Hendrickson) and two brothers (Frank and Steve).