Emelia Hovland

Emelia Marie Hovland, 100, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. She was born April 1, 1909, in Oscar Township of Otter Tail County, the daughter of Fred and Bertha (Grunewald) Zimmerman. She attended country school through the eighth grade at School District #61. On October 20, 1930, she married Henry O. Hovland in Fergus Falls. She first was a homemaker, raising her family and working with her husband on the family farm in Elizabeth Township. Later she worked as the head cook at the Broen Memorial Home for several years, and then as a receptionist at Dr. Roger Nelson’s Chiropractic Clinic in Fergus Falls. She was a member of Friborg Lutheran Church in Oscar Township, where she enjoyed participating in Ladies Aid and serving as a Sunday school teacher. In later years she was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.  She was also a 4-H Leader in Elizabeth Township, and was a member of the Homemaker’s Group. Emelia enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, flower arrangements, crafts, quilting, and crocheting, and sharing all these talents with her family and friends. Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry, in 1989; and a daughter, Marilyn Proffitt in 2004. Survivors include two children: Berton (Doris) Hovland of Fergus Falls, and Janice (Don) Benrud of Moose Lake, MN; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; four sisters: Esther Bratlien and Louella Theodorson, both of the Pioneer Home, Annette Weiss of Pioneer Pointe, and Evelyn Heggen of Washington state; and a sister-in-law, Avis Zimmerman of Fergus Falls. Visitation:  5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service and  resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Paul Nelson Interment:  Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home:  Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com