Sigmund Restad

Jan 4, 1928 -

Nov 24, 2025

On Nov. 24, 2025, Sigmund Restad, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away, at the age of 97, in Palmer, Alaska, surrounded by his devoted family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Jan. 24, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Church, 1201 E. Bogard Road in Wasilla, Alaska, with reception following in the parish hall.

Sigmund was born in Gnesen, Minn., in 1928, to Sigurd Restad and Henrietta Olsen. He had two brothers, Roland and Anton, and two sisters, Dorthea and Astrid. Sigmund was an avid supporter of 4-H, stating the 14 years he participated had a great influence on his life. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1945. He served in the Army reserves in 1949 and served in the Korean War with the 31st infantry APO 7 Kansas from 1950-1951. For his service he was awarded a Combat Infantryman Award and three Bronze Medals.

Sigmund married his beloved Carol Hubble in Duluth, Minn., in 1952. He attended the University of Minnesota earning a Bachelor of Science in dairy husbandry in1953 and a Master of Science in dairy nutrition in 1954. Sigmund served as Agriculture Extension County Agent for Carlton County, Minn., from 1954-1958. Sig and Carol began their family of six children in 1954, moving to Fairbanks, Alaska Territory, in 1958; then Palmer in 1962.

Sigmund's was an epic pioneer of Alaska, supporting the growth, research, conservation of agriculture and forestry in Alaska. He was Farm Manager of the Agricultural Experiment Farm at College, Alaska from 1958-1962.

Governor Bill Egan appointed Sigmund as the Director of the Division of Agriculture from 1962-1968.

He returned to work with the UAF Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station as Executive Director, and then as Assistant Director from 1968 to1987. He was given Assistant Director Emeritus status in 1987. In 1982, he wrote the book Alaska's Agriculture and Forestry and was featured in several periodicals on agriculture. In 2014, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mat-Su Farm Bureau.

Sigmund was very active in government and community organizations in the state of Alaska. He was a member of the Resource Development Council for Alaska, Alaska Rural Development Council, Alaska Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Advisory Committee for Northern Television, Northland Pioneer Grange, Alaska State Grange, Palmer Elks and Kiwanis, and the Sons of Norway.

Sigmund was jovial, supportive, generous, kind and patient. He found joy in hunting, fishing, growing his own food and spending time with his family at his cabin at Lake Louise. Sigmund delighted in the bounties of nature and in the joy of all the children that were added to his family in his 97 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; and son, Jason. He is survived by his children, Mary, Eric, Lori, Joyce and Mark; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

ln lieu of flowers, improve the Babb Arboretum by donating to the Northland Pioneer Grange, P.O. Box 2304 in Palmer.