Jeffrey Milo Shelstad

On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Jeffrey Milo Shelstad, loving father of three children, passed away at age 81.

Jeff was born on August 1, 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Gerhard and Cherie (Hanson) Shelstad.  He received his Education degree from Augsburg University in 1964, and subsequently obtained his Masters degree from the University of St. Thomas.  Jeff was an English / Language Arts teacher and athletics coach for 35 years at Richfield, MN, St. Anthony Village, MN, and Hastings, MN high schools.   In October 1965, he married Wanda Annette Findlay (Gibson).  They raised two sons, Brooks and Brett, and one daughter, Elizabeth.

Jeff had a passion for teaching and coaching.  At a young age, he began coaching with the Minneapolis Park and Rec league.  Known by many as “Coach Shelstad”, he coached many sports throughout the years, including boys hockey, girls hockey, girls softball, football, and baseball.  His favorite sport was always hockey; he coached boys hockey for 22 years, and girls hockey for another four.  He retired from teaching and coaching at Hastings Senior High School in 1999.   After retirement he moved full time to his lake home in Merrifield MN. Not one to sit still for long, Jeff worked in real estate part time and briefly held the position of Activities Director for the Pine River-Backus school district.

Jeff especially enjoyed his time over the years spent on Lake Lougee.  He thoroughly embraced lake life and all the social groups he came to know in the greater Brainerd Lakes Area. Among his favorite things were pontoon cruises, admiring sunsets, and enjoying time with family and friends around the campfire.  From a young age Jeff was always a loyal and devoted fan to Minnesota Gopher hockey and football, and the Minnesota Vikings.  Especially in retirement, he was sure to weave most all the games into his social calendar.

One of Jeff’s greatest interests throughout his life was horses.  He had many over the years and enjoyed having them on-site in their barn and corral.  He took them on trail rides near and far and operated a small horse carriage business for a time.  Jeff also had a deep affection for his dogs, particularly Mandy (pictured with him) and his most recent companion, Mattie.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Gerhard and Cherie Shelstad.  He is survived by his three children, Brooks (Karin), Brett (Jodi Lysne) and Elizabeth (Clint Matvick); four grandchildren, Annika Shelstad, Siri Shelstad, Mikkel Shelstad and Grace Matvick, and his brothers Bruce (Sarah Caswell), Dixon (Beth), Brad (Sandy Metzdorff), and sister Cynthia (Michael Swartout), and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Crosslake Lutheran Church, Crosslake Minnesota at 12:00 pm, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. A lunch will be served following the service.  A private interment will be held on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of Jeff’s homestead namesake “Pinderosa”, the family requests a small seedling or potted tree to be planted and cared for in his honor on the property.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.