Palestine High School Alumni Association

01 / 21 / 1894  –  04 / 26 / 1985

Services for Dr. Peter Andrew Kolstad Sr., 91, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bailey Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Juan Trevino and the Rev. Harold Paulsen officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery. Mr. Kolstad died today in Anderson County Memorial Hospital.

The long time optometrist, businessman and rancher, was known by many as “Mr. Drew”.

He was born January 21, 1894 and attended schools in Palestine. He attended Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia before earning his doctor of optometry degree from Needles Institute in Kansas.

He was an owner and partner in Kolstad Jewlers for many years and was an accomplished clockmaker and engraver. The jewelry business, founded by Dr. Kolstad’s grandfather, Soren Kolstad, is the oldest store in Texas continually operated by the same family, and one of the oldest family establishments west of the Mississippi River.

In 1935 he was named to the board of directors of First National Bank, a position he held until his death. For many years, he served on the board of the Trinity River Improvement Authority.

Farming and ranching were always a large part of his life and for many years, he was active in the Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association and other groups involved with livestock. He was a member of the Palestine Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club and was an elder at First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Luella Gardner Kolstad; a son, Dr. P.A. Kolstad Jr. of Palestine; a daughter, Mrs. Howard Kolstad Hanks of Houston; five grandchilfen and 12 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers are J. Christopher Kolstad, Dr. Ronald Stevener, Owen F. Thornton, Gardner K. Thornton, Jeff D. Walker and Dr. C.L. Kolstad III.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 04-26-1985