Orlin (Archie) Verdell Lustfield

Services for Orlin Lustfield, 81, of Balaton, are Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be Friday night at Trinity from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. Orlin peacefully returned to his heavenly home August 5, 2019. He was in his home surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. Orlin “Archie” Verdell Lustfield was born June 2, 1938, in Germantown, IA, to Fred and Frieda Lustfield. The family moved from Iowa to Salem, SD, and landed in Bemidji, MN, when Orlin was 10 years old. At 14 years of age he left home and spent his summers as a cowboy at Caine Ranch in the Bears Paw Mountain between Havre and Chinook, MT. His winters were spent setting pins at a bowling alley and working at a delicatessen in California while living with a sister. During one return trip to visit family in Minnesota, he stopped in Balaton to check on two of his brothers who were working for a local farmer. It was there he met the love of his life, Carolyn Hillquist, while attending a dance with his brothers. At the end of the weekend, Carolyn had to return to Minneapolis where she lived and worked, but Orlin decided the Wild West could wait an extra week. He wanted to see her once more when she returned to Balaton the following weekend. By the time Carolyn returned the following weekend, her whole family was quite taken with Orlin, as was she, and he never went back to Montana or California to work again. Orlin and Carolyn were united in marriage October 4, 1958 in Balaton. He worked for farmers in the area before moving to Sioux Falls, where he worked for a tire company for nine years. Orlin knew how important family was to Carolyn, so the decision was made in the fall of 1971 to return to Balaton where her family lived. They bought the Arnold Zemke farm outside of Balaton and Orlin worked for Cenex, farmed, and drove school bus while making plans and getting permits to start an auto recycling business which became Balaton Auto Salvage. The business grew so quickly he had to quit his other jobs. He was now able to focus all of his time and energy on the business, which he grew to great success with his loyal partner and son, David. At 55 years of age he sold Balaton Auto Salvage to David and his wife, Kathy, and moved to town. Never one to sit idle, his next adventure was starting a new business – L & L Auto Sales, which he operated with the help of Carolyn and his daughter Carla. For many years he enjoyed helping his customers find the perfect vehicle and a great deal. After retiring from this business he was able to do that for which he is best known…helping every person who crossed his path in any way he could. He found joy in lending a hand, fixing anything that was broken, driving friends to appointments, and giving expert advice. He always had whatever was needed to finish a job. His dear friend, Jason Swan, once said “If Archie doesn’t have it – you don’t need it!” He loved to talk with long-time friends and relatives or strike up a conversation with someone he just met. He was fondly known as “The Candy Man” by many, as he always had his pockets full of Tootsie Rolls and mints for the kids – and adults. He was an honest and humble man who loved family, friends, and church with his whole heart. He lived his Christian faith by treating others the way he would like to be treated his entire life. He was shocked and honored when he received the Balaton Citizen of the Year Award in 2017. Most important to Orlin was his family. He worked tirelessly from morning until night to provide the best life possible for his wife and children. He was determined to do whatever it took to make their lives easier than his own had been. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. As the years passed, he found a way to squeeze in weekends at the cabin by Willmar, waterskiing at Lake Yankton in the evenings, trips to Texas and California to visit his siblings, and fishing…..so much fishing! Our prayer is that he is resting comfortably in the arms of Jesus, surrounded by family and friends who left this earth before him. Some have said God didn’t take him sooner because He just didn’t have enough jobs lined up for him yet. We are confident that after a good rest Orlin made a plan and jumped up with his famous line, “Here we go!” and he’s off to enjoy heaven. Orlin is survived by his best friend and wife of 60 years, Carolyn; son David (and Kathy) Lustfield of Balaton; daughters Lisa (and Jeff) Parker of Balaton, Carla Lustfield (and Chet Wichmann) of Balaton, Staci Lustfield (and Sean Kirk) of Garvin; grandchildren Jessica (and Ryan) Bosma of Pipestone, Jon (and Christina) Lustfield of Balaton, Samantha Tutt of Brookings, SD, Drake Tutt of Fulda, Riley Steffes (and Hayley Denelsbeck) of Balaton, Mattea Steffes of Garvin; great grandchildren Riley, Blake, and Kason Bosma, Ryker and Vienna Lustfield; siblings Delores Severson, Marlin Lustfield, Larry (and Julie) Lustfield, Gayle (and Billy) Smith; sister-in-law Devon Lustfield; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and his pup Sasha. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Frieda, Lois, Ellen, Eileen, and brothers Verlin and Ronnie.