Arland Benoy "Shelly" Shelstad

Arland Benoy “Shelly” Shelstad, 92 of Pine Island passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Pine Haven Care Center. He was born in Pine Island, MN on September 2, 1931 to Ludvik and Clara (Benson) Shelstad. He was baptized on September 20, 1931 and confirmed on November 11, 1945 at Lands Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, MN. He graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1950. Shortly after graduation he joined the Minnesota National Guard. He served honorably in the Guard and US Army Reserves for 35 years before retiring as a Major. 

As a young man he worked as a hired hand, milking dairy cattle for local farmers. During this time, he received an award for a perfect record on milk marketed from October 1, 1954 to September 30, 1955 designating him as a Premium Milk Producer. He had a wonderful work ethic and passed on the value of hard work to his children and subordinates. After his farming days ended and a move to Rochester, he found he was a good salesman and worked for Early American Life Insurance and Babcock Breeders. Using his skills as a Medic in the military he also drove for Gold Cross Ambulance. Shelly also volunteered on many Veteran’s Days at the Pine Haven Care Center. On May 17, 2017, Shelly had the privilege to participate in the Freedom Honor Flight. At the time of his death, Shelly was still working part-time at the Advantage Care Hearing Center of Zumbrota. 

Shelly loved the Lord, serving and singing the old hymns at church. He was a devoted member of Pine Island United Methodist Church. Shelly never knew a stranger and enjoyed sharing his life story with others. In his last few months, while at Pine Haven, he enjoyed greeting people with Chris, his sidekick. Hobbies over the years included riding minibikes, snowmobiling, football, fishing, and riding horses in local parades. Always true to his Norwegian heritage he enjoyed his coffee and sweets. Often his lunch was simply a peanut butter sandwich, a banana and a glass of milk. He was an avid gardener with some of his favorites being potatoes, radishes and green onions. 

Shelly was united in marriage to Madelyn Durst on October 4, 1986 at the Pine Island United Methodist Church. He had four daughters from his first marriage to Elaine Zimmermann Shelstad; Debbie Tincher, Diane Johnson, Denette (Kyle) Braxton, DelMarie (Mike) Warburton; one son, Dean Arland Shelstad and two daughters from his second marriage to Gail Kruse Shelstad; Dee Dee (Tim) Stahman and Dawn Shelstad. He is survived by his daughters and stepson, Brian (Beth) Durst and stepdaughter Pam Schmitt; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren.

Shelly was preceded in death by his parents; nine brothers and sisters; grandson John Wilgus Arland Tincher; son-in-law John Tincher; son Dean Arland Shelstad; granddaughter Jessica Kay Johnson; great-granddaughter Mila Elaine Broere and son-in-law Bruce “Joll” Johnson. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Pine Island United Methodist Church from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Friday, March 22, 2024 with a celebration service at 1:30 pm. Burial will be at the Pine Island Cemetery with military rites. Arrangements made by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Mahler Chapel.