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Jerrol Tostrud, former chair of the board of trustees and an emeritus trustee at Mitchell Hamline, died Thursday, Oct. 3, at 86 years old. Tostrud became the first nonlawyer to lead William Mitchell College of Law\u2019s board when he took over as chair in 1992.<\/p>\n
Tostrud was born Aug. 10, 1938, in La Crosse, Wis. He grew up in Albert Lea, Minn., and spent his summers working on the family dairy farm in Holmen, Wis., or in other parts of the Midwest on road construction crews. After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1956, he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree from St. Olaf College in 1960. After two years in the Army, he enjoyed a 36-year career with West Publishing Company, rising to executive vice president.<\/p>\n
It was during this time that he joined the William Mitchell board of trustees, serving from 1985 to 1997, with three of those years spent as chair. He took over leadership at a time when the board was expanding and diversifying to include members from the legal and business communities, according to Doug Heidenreich\u2019s history of the school, \u201cWith Satisfaction and Honor.\u201d While Tostrud was chair, the law school negotiated with the University of St. Thomas about a possible merger, but those talks terminated without a deal in spring 1994.<\/p>\n
\u201cJerry was a truly wonderful person,\u201d said current Board Chair Greg Buck \u201987. \u201cA man of few words, a hearty laugh, and a generous heart, he often worked behind the scenes to accomplish great things but was front and center providing visible leadership whenever needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tostrud\u2019s sons Eric \u201990 and Jon \u201994 both earned their J.D. from the law school. Eric, a U.S. District judge, is a former Mitchell Hamline faculty member and followed in his father\u2019s footsteps to serve on the board of trustees from 2006 to 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad\u2019s support for William Mitchell ran deep. He cherished his time serving on the board,\u201d said Eric. \u201cHe genuinely understood and valued William Mitchell\u2019s core mission of providing access to legal education, and he believed the law school played a vital role in legal and business communities in Minnesota and throughout the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to his service to Mitchell Hamline, Jerrol Tostrud was well-known for his community leadership and civic commitment. His service includes positions with the West Publishing Company Board of Directors, South Washington County School Board, St. Olaf College Board of Regents, American Judicature Society Board, Somerset Country Club Board of Governors, St. Paul Foundation Board of Directors, Collier Community Foundation, and Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club over the years. Between these commitments, Tostrud remained active in his church, deeply committed to philanthropy, and constantly present for his friends, family, and anyone in need.<\/p>\n
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jasper and Beulah Tostrud; his sister, Arnita; his brother, Merlin, and his son-in-law, Chris Hoffmann. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alleen; his children, Eric Tostrud (Laurie), Karen Hoffmann, and Jon Tostrud (Amy); six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; extended family; and a great many friends.<\/p>\n
A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at 11:00 am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul. The family will receive visitors one hour before the service. A reception will immediately follow at Somerset Country Club, 1416 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, Minn. A visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Augustana Lutheran Church.<\/p>\n
Jerrol Tostrud\u2019s full obituary can be found in the Minnesota Star Tribune: https:\/\/obituaries.startribune.com\/obituary\/jerrol-tostrud-1091344017<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jerrol Tostrud, former chair of the board of trustees and an emeritus trustee at Mitchell Hamline, died Thursday, Oct. 3, at 86 years old. Tostrud became the first nonlawyer to lead William Mitchell College of Law\u2019s board when he took over as chair in 1992. Tostrud was born Aug. 10, 1938, in La Crosse, Wis. … <\/p>\n