John Clifford Homstad

John Clifford Homstad passed away August 24, 2023 at home in Sioux Falls, SD with family by his side. He was 73.

John was born November 22, 1949 in Duluth, MN to Clifford and Mary (Hallinan) Homstad. He graduated from Duluth Cathedral High school in 1968. Following high school he attended University of Minnesota Duluth where he majored in mathematics. In 1972 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an avionics technician on the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. After an honorable discharge, he began his railroad career.

In 1976 he married Bonnie Vance in Virginia Beach, VA. In 1981 he became a father to daughter Lisa while living in Fort Dodge, IA, and in 1986 son John while living in Lenexa, KS. He worked throughout his career as an operations coordinator and trainmaster for the Chicago and North Western railroad and later the DM&E/Canadian Pacific railroad. He also continued his education with graduate-level courses in economics at Iowa State University. He retired from the railroad in 2012.

In retirement, John volunteered regularly for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls. He worked several days a week as part of the Master’s Builders team and was recognized as “Construction Volunteer of the Year” in 2016 and “Individual Volunteer of the Year” in 2020 for his many hours of service. He greatly valued the time he worked with his friends there and enjoyed helping those in need.

John enjoyed any kind of project that let him make use of his garage full of tools. He was an avid fan of classic rock at the loudest volume he could get away with. He loved reading up on history and could recount the entire story of the Roman Empire at will. He enthusiastically visited any kind of train-related museum he came across. He was also a fan of Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and other such creative works. His interests and skills were wide and varied, and he was always eager to lend his knowledge and strength to help others.

John is survived by daughter Lisa (Laurence) Woodruff, son John Homstad, and five siblings: Anne Ranta, Mark Homstad, David (Denise) Homstad, Patricia (Steve) Lasky, and Brian (Wendy) Homstad.

Visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2023 at St. John's Catholic Church in Duluth, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial and the Rite of Committal at Calvary Cemetery will immediately follow at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls at https://siouxfallshabitat.org/financial-donations.