Andrienne Hjelle

Andrienne June Ray was born June 14, 1935 near Echo, MN, the daughter of Andrew and Avis (Holland) Ray. After graduating from Echo high school she moved to Mankato and completed her studies at the Mankato Business School. Andrienne worked as a teller at the Citizen?s State Bank in Echo. Andrienne was united in marriage to Paul Larsen in 1956. The couple first made their home in the Twin Cities where Andrienne was employed as a secretary at Economics Laboratory. Later they moved to Fargo, ND and were blessed with two children, Ted and Mike. Andrienne moved to Moorhead, MN where she built a duplex. In the year 2000 she moved to Alexandria, MN. On August 21, 2004 Andrienne was united in marriage to Donn Hjelle and the couple made their home on Casa Marina Lane. Andrienne has always been active in her church. She was a charter member of the E. Covenant Church in Fargo, loved music and served in the church choir. After moving to Alexandria she joined the Alexandria Covenant Church. She was active in Bible studies, served on committees, and sang in the church choir. Andrienne had a beautiful heart and a humble spirit that allowed her to serve the sick or needy. She enjoyed reading her Bible, praying, and hosting small group Bible studies at their home. Andrienne enjoyed gardening, biking and the outdoors with Donn. She loved animals and enjoyed watching the birds visit the thirteen bird feeders around their yard. Andrienne especially loved her cats. Donn, who is allergic to cats, accommodated Andrienne?s three cats by winterizing a small cottage on their property to serve as a home for the cats and a comfortable place for her to visit them. Andrienne liked to play word games like Scrabble and crosswords puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. A highlight, playing Hand & Foot with her grandchildren was a real joy to her. Andrienne loved being a Grandma and she loved all of her grandchildren. On Thursday, June 7, 2012 Andrienne died at the age of seventy-six years. She was preceded in death by her parents and one stepdaughter, Tamara Hjelle Olsen. Andrienne is survived by her husband, Donn Hjelle of Alexandria; two sons, Ted Larsen of Cottage Grove, MN and Mike Larsen and wife, Holly, of Edina, MN; Aunts, Eileen Holland and Bernadine Lommen, of Alexandria, MN and cousins. Also surviving are step-children Dr. Anthony ?Tony? Hjelle and wife, Heather, of Rhinelander, WI, Deirdre Hjelle and Dr. Paul Lund, of Eden Prairie, MN, Mara Hjelle and Greg Lanners, of Brandon, MN, and Michael Olsen of Golden Valley, MN; and grandchildren, Renata Solum, Braden Solum, Ian Solum, Braxton Hjelle, Claire Hjelle, Emma Hjelle, Johanna Olsen, Corbin Olsen, Zach Larum, Jessica Larum, Thea Larsen and Tula Larsen. A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Alexandria Covenant Church. Reverend John LeVahn officiated. Interment followed in the Echo Cemetery at Echo, MN. Honorary pallbearers included all of Andrienne?s grandchildren. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.