Lena Hexum

Lena Margaret (Fjestad) Hexum, 92, Alexandria (formerly of Carlisle Township and Fergus Falls), died Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN. Lena was born December 26, 1918, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Edward and Emma (Sletvold) Fjestad. Lena attended school through eighth grade in District 86, rural Carlisle. She then attended Fergus Falls High School, graduating in 1937. After receiving her teaching degree from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1939, Lena taught for two years in District 111 in Oscar Township, north of Carlisle. On Friday, June 13, 1941, Lena married Elmer Hexum at Hedemarken Lutheran Church, the country church where both Elmer and Lena had been baptized and confirmed. Elmer and Lena farmed in Carlisle Township until their retirement in 1978 when they moved to Fergus Falls. In 1999, they moved to Alexandria to be nearer their children. Lena was an active member of Hedemarken Lutheran Church Ladies? Aid and served in various capacities over the years. She was also involved in Homemakers? Club, PTA, 4-H, and other local organizations. In retirement, she and Elmer took a special interest volunteering at the Otter Tail County Museum. Preceding her in death were her husband of 69 years, Elmer; her parents, Edward and Emma Fjestad; her sister Clara (Albert) Glesne; and her brothers Morrill (Gertrude) Fjestad, Elmer Fjestad, Fred Fjestad, Clifford (Edna) Fjestad, Otto (Donnis) Fjestad, and several brothers- and sisters-in-law. She is survived by six children, Ellen (Ellsworth) Bergerson of Des Moines, IA; Lyn Hexum of Shoreview, MN; Marian (Lawrence) Heinz of Coon Rapids; Rachel (Thomas) Savageau of Alexandria; Annette (Ronald) Sletto of Brandon; Laurie (Douglas) Robertson of Mound; 16 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Lena is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Arthur (Anna) Fjestad of Fergus Falls; sister-in-law Edna Fjestad of Fergus Falls; brothers- and sisters-in-law Alice (Jorolf) Ronnevik of Carlisle; Mildred (Gerald) Tysver of Fergus Falls; Al (Ellen) Hexum of Fergus Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at Hedemarken Lutheran Church in rural Carlisle. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.