Thief River Falls – Eldor (Speed) Ornquist, 95, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with his family by his side.
Eldor (Speed) Ornquist was born on May 21, 1929, on a farm near Strathcona, to Emil and Pearl (Bjerk) Ornquist. He attended country school there in his younger years until the family moved to a farm near Middle River, where he then completed the 8th grade. At age 16, he enrolled at Dunwoody Institute studying auto mechanics. Speed returned to Middle River and worked at a gas and service station.
In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. He was assigned to the 5th Army signal corps. His unit was never sent to Korea, but they were on the list to go when the war ended. During this time, they were transferred to many U.S. bases so he was able to see most of the states. He was discharged in 1953.
After Speed’s discharge, he worked at a Ford garage near Seattle, WA for a year and then returned to Minnesota and took a job in Warren, at Northwest Chevrolet. In 1955, he moved to Thief River Falls and was employed at Northern Motors for 10 years. In 1965, he founded Speed’s Auto Service. He retired at age 70. Speed’s son, Gregg, took over ownership and his daughter, Julie, replaced her mother as office manager. This year marks 60 years of business.
While working in Warren, Speed met Bonnie Franks. On November 10, 1956, they were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Warren and to this union two children were born, Julie and Gregg.
Speed enjoyed restoring old cars, snowmobiling, four wheeling, going to the woods in Blackduck and Hackensack with friends, camping with family and friends, and many travels through the US and Alaska. One of his favorite places was Gregg’s cabin near Fourtown where he would go crazy tree planting!
Speed was a member of both Redeemer Lutheran Church and the American Legion since 1956.
Speed is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; children, Julie Ornquist and Gregg Ornquist; grandchildren, David Bruggeman and Kelsie Dicken; great-grandchildren, Andrew (fiancée Hannah Kujava) Bruggeman and Bella Dicken; sister, Carol (Bob) Borkowski; sisters-in-law, Fern Ornquist, Debbie Ornquist and Rovella Weiland; brothers-in-law, Mike (Donna) Franks and Robert (Bernie) Franks; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Avis (George) Wallin; brothers, Dean Ornquist and Morlyn Ornquist; son-in-law, Mitch Bruggeman; infant grandson, Nick Bruggeman; brothers-in-law, Al Kasprowicz and John Weiland; sister-in-law, Marilyn Kasprowicz; father and mother-in-law, Mitchel and Dorine Franks.
A celebration of Speed’s life was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Rev. Stephanie White officiated. Visitation took place one hour prior to the service. Burial was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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