Obituary of Alyson Ladella Harstad

A memorial service for Alyson Ladella Harstad, 20, will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM at the church on Saturday.

A memorial fund for Alyson has been established at the United Community Bank in Okoboji.

Alyson Ladella Harstad, the daughter of Brandon Buchholz and Andrea Harstad, was born on December 20, 2001, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Growing up, Alyson lived in Primghar, Spirit Lake, and Worthington. She went on to earn her GED in Mitchell, South Dakota in 2020. 

Alyson worked at Taylor’s Pantry in Sioux Falls where she was dearly loved. In the last few months, she also worked at Dairy Queen and volunteered at the Humane Society when she had time. 

In her free time, Alyson enjoyed swimming, reading, debating with people, and sketching. She especially loved hanging out with her brothers, family, and friends. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Andrea Harstad of Spencer, Iowa; father, Brandon Buchholz of Breckenridge, Colorado; brothers: Seth Kobberman of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Liam Kelley of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Parker Harstad of Spencer, Iowa; grandparents, Clayton and Deb Pavelko of Lakefield, Minnesota; special cousins, Rick and Dena Gustaf of Bigelow, Minnesota; many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and her cat, Mouse.

Alyson was preceded in death by her grandpa, Ladell Harstad; great-grandparents: Densel (Papa) and Ruth (Granny) Durst, Betty Boyer, and Ladell Harstad Sr.