Ellen G. Bjelland
Ellen G. Bjelland, 96, passed away Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Lake Mills Care Center. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, at Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons, Minn., with Pastor Ryan Henkel officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the church. Burial will be held in Oaklawn Cemetery, Emmons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Emmons Lutheran Church window project or Oaklawn Cemetery.
Ellen was born March 30, 1926 to Joseph T. Overland and Guri O. (Davidson) Overland. She was baptized at Lunder Lutheran Church and confirmed June 2, 1940 at Lime Creek Lutheran Church, rural Emmons. She graduated from Emmons High School in 1944. She went on to nurse’s training at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, MInn., and earned her R.N. Degree.
On June 4, 1950 Ellen was married to Thayne Bjelland at Lime Creek Lutheran Church. They made their home in Emmons, Minn., and later on the farm in rural Lake Mills.
During her working years Ellen started as a nurse in the office of Dr. M.O. Nesheim in Emmons. After she was married, she worked at Naeve Hospital surgical floor and also part-time at the Dr. Nesheim office in Emmons. From 1969 through 1989 (20 years) Ellen worked at the Lake Mills Care Center using her nursing experience to help others.
Ellen was active in the ladies-aid and circles at Emmons Lutheran Church, as well as serving on church council, and as a Sunday School teacher. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, canning and sharing her harvest with others. She cherished time with her grandchildren and teaching them how to make lefse.
She leaves her sons: Thomas (Dianne) Bjelland, Paul (Sheila) Bjelland; and daughter, Mary (Richard) Orban; her grandchildren: Sarah Orban, Emily (Reid) Nichols, Nate Orban, Brent (Brittani) Bjelland, Mindy (Nate) Sletten, Shannon (Tom) Viereck), Michelle (Kenton) Wise, Doug Bjelland, Jenny (Brian) Hanson, Joe (Nikki) Bjelland, and Matt (Kim) Bjelland; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thayne; mother and father; sister, Kerma Connly; brother and sister-in-law, Helen and Virgil Holstad; and daughter- in- law, Mary Bjelland.
