Ralph Bjelland

Remembering the life of?. Ralph L. Bjelland was born on September 19, 1934, the son of Leonard and Nellie (Johnson) Bjelland in Hoffman, MN. He was baptized in October of 1934 and confirmed in May of 1948 at the Lands Lutheran Church in Hoffman, MN. He attended elementary and high school in Hoffman and graduated in the Class of 1952. Ralph married Vi Johnson (also from the Hoffman area) on December 20th, 1956 at St. Petri Church in Minneapolis, MN. Together they had two children, Cynthia and Michael. Ralph was a loving and patient husband, father and grandfather. Some winters Ralph would take time to build an ice skating rink for his children and in the summer he loved playing hide and seek and other outdoor games with the kids of the neighborhood. He taught his children and grandchildren by example, to be organized, forthright and honest in their everyday life. Ralph was employed for 23 years with the B. F. Nelson Manufacturing Company in Minneapolis and 19 years with the Certain Teed Corporation in Shakopee, MN after the two companies merged together. During Ralph?s 42 years he was accredited with many valuable contributions to the companies. While living in Minneapolis they were members of Saint Philip?s Lutheran Church in Fridley, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and currently members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman, MN. After Ralph?s declining health Ralph and Vi moved to the lake home they designed on Elk Lake near Hoffman, MN. While living in the Hoffman area he served on the board for the Lands Cemetery and Grant County Historical Society. Ralph was a collector of Hoffman memorabilia, and was respected for his vast knowledge of Hoffman. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going to auctions. Ralph also enjoyed driving ?Tin Lizzy? and Dressing up as a Clown in local parades. In 2003 Ralph and Vi moved to Alexandria. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him. Ralph L. Bjelland died on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at his home at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife Vi Bjelland of Alexandria; daughter Cynthia and Mark Starner of Hoffman, MN; son Mike and Deb Bjelland of Brandon, SD; grandchildren Lacey and Eric Springer of Alexandria, MN; Nicole and Ryan Amundson of Elbow Lake, MN; Michael Starner of Hoffman, MN; Michael Bjelland of Brandon, SD; and Sherman Junker of Brandon, SD; great grandchildren Hunter and Hayden Springer of Alexandria, MN; Brett and Aubrey Amundson of Elbow Lake, MN; sister Virginia and George Stensland of Sun City, AZ; brother Jim and Carolyn Bjelland of Waconia, MN; aunt Hazel Vestrum of Hoffman, MN; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service was held on Friday, November 14, 2008 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman, MN with the Reverend Steve Olson officiating. Roger Anderson and Jan Holverson sang and were accompanied by Laverne Olson who played the organ and piano. Interment was in the Land?s Cemetery near Hoffman, MN. Casket Bearers were Lacey Springer, Eric Springer, Nicole Amundson, Ryan Amundson, Sherman Junker, Michael Starner, and Michael Bjelland. Honorary Casket Bearers were Hunter Springer, Hayden Springer, Brett Amundson, and Aubrey Amundson.