David Sol Rakstad, 26, of Poplar, MT passed away Sunday, September 4, 2011 in Poplar.
He was born on October 3, 1984, in Wolf Point to Darlyn Grainger and the late Ron “Rags” Rakstad. He attended grade school in Froid for two years, graduating in 2003 from Poplar High School. During his high school years he enjoyed high school rodeo- team roping and steer wrestling, 4¬H, football, track, wrestling and choir. He also earned a spot as a Boys State Delegate. His junior year of high school he attended the Harvard Summer Program. He then moved to Gillette WY., where he worked on the service Rigs. He later went into the Kicking Horse Job Corp in Ronan MT., where he studied heavy equipment and obtained his CDL . Following in his father’s footsteps, he enjoyed an oil field career for the last five years with Nabors Drilling. He earned the reputation of a loyal, hard working employee. He worked his way up from a floor hand to his current position as a Driller. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend Krista Pearson, spending time on the ranch breaking colts, horseback riding, spending time with friends and hunting. David was always willing to lend a hand and always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by his mother, Darlyn Grainger of Poplar, MT; twin brother, Douglas (Lori) Rakstad, of Poplar; brother, Joe Rakstad of MI; uncles, Gary ( Jackie) Grainger of Poplar, Steve Grainger of Santa Fe, NM, Ken Rakstad of Gillette, WY, and Orrian ( Dorothy) Denny of Brockton. MT; aunts, Iva Grainger, Jeanne ( Karl) Reinlasoder, and Joleen Kirn all of Poplar, Chrissy ( Joe) Brand of Helena MT, Barb (Jerry) Mooney and Fran Richardson both of Billings, MT, and Helen ( Ray) Mischel of Georgia; and grandma, Blue (Gary) Kirn of Poplar.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ron “Rags” Rakstad; grandparents, Sol & Taddy Grainger, Joseph Millard & Florence Rakstad; and uncle, Mike Kirn.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, September 8, at the Assembly of God church in Poplar. Cremation is to follow and inurnment will take place at a later date.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.