THE MOLDESTAD FAMILY

Many oldtimers remember the Moldestad farm, one of the last working farms in the Park. The family also ran a prominent and successful grocery store on Minnetonka Blvd.

J.J. Moldestad and his sister Marie came to the US from Norway in 1879, and came to Minneapolis in 1880 or 1881. He started a dairy farm with Peter Homes on Minnetonka Blvd. at Texas Ave. Next he rented a farm from Mr. Suchaneck – his house was at 26th and Alabama. In 1896 he moved to 300 acres across from Cobble Crest Lake. His pasture became the Bellgrove Addition in Hopkins. J.J. married in 1892.

J.J.’s son Harold died on Nov. 2, 1918 while serving in World War I.

J.J.’s son Norman M. Moldestad was born on May 15, 1893 in St. Louis Park.

Virginia Brown Parks:

Norman Moldestad’s father had a farm north of Minnetonka Blvd. in the vicinity of what is now Yosemite and Zarthan Ave. [28th & Xenwood til 1932]. Norm worked at the Ford Motor Plant. Work was not always steady, so Agnes opened a grocery store in an old building on a site which later became the Park Theater. The store showed promise and became a cornerstone of the neighborhood when Agnes Moldestad’s father, Peter Rodin, and Norman’s father financed an up to date brick building at the corner of Minnetonka Blvd. and Ottawa. Norman quit his Ford employment and he and Aggie worked together in their grocery business for 33 years. The Moldestads with their two children, Maurine and Richard (Bud), moved to a nice large apartment on the second floor of the building. Moldestad tenants included a pharmacy, a barber shop and a beauty shop, Dr. Westerdahl, the dentist, and Dr. Cranston, a medical doctor. Later Dr. Archie Smith rented from the Moldestads.

Norman was a member of the Odd Fellows for 52 years, the American Legion, and the Theosaphical Society. His children were Maurine (Mrs. Arne Peterson) and Richard “Bud” Moldestad. Norman died on August 29, 1975.

Norman also had a sister, Mrs. Byron Smith.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.