Gertrude Fjestad

Gertrude Bernice “Gertie” Fjestad, 87, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls.  She was born September 22, 1921, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, the daughter of Berger and Marie (Nygaard) Aasen. She moved to a farm in Sverdrup Township when she was a child, and attended School District #112 in Sverdrup Township. She was baptized and confirmed at Rindal Lutheran Church, rural Underwood. She worked at the Fergus Falls State Hospital and did housework in the area.  On March 4, 1942, she was married to Morrill Fjestad at the Hedemarken Church parsonage in Rothsay by Reverend Emil Salveson. The couple farmed in Oscar Township until their retirement in 1976. They moved to Big Island Lake, near Northome, until 1991 when they came to Fergus Falls. In May of 2007 she moved to Golden Manor Apartments, and became a resident of the Pioneer Community in 2008. While at Northome, she was a member of Bethesda Lutheran in Mizpah. She was a member of Hedemarken Lutheran Church during their time in Oscar Township. Over the years she participated in Ladies Aid, serving as president, Homemakers, Craft Club, the Senior Citizens, the Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, and the Son’s of Norway. She was also a Sunday school teacher. Gertie enjoyed baking Norwegian delicacies, picking berries, gardening and canning, and doing handiwork. She had an appreciation for nature and the outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking, fishing, and feeding the deer and birds. She also enjoyed listening to music and accompanying her husband on his travels with the Carlisle Band. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Morrill; her daughter, Sandra Fjestad-Johnson; four brothers, Roy, Orville, Morris, and Herbert Aasen. Survivors include her son, Edward (Sharon) of Pelican Rapids; three grandchildren: Jeffrey Fjestad of Vergas, Erik Johnson of Fergus Falls, and Anneli (Jonathan) Stenslie of Fargo; one great-grandson, Andrew Johnson; three sisters: Della Leitch of Underwood, Betty (Don) Torgerson of Richville, and Fran Sauer of Fergus Falls; a brother, Norman “Bert” (Mae) Aasen of Underwood; her inlaws: Virginia Aasen of Mohall, ND, Art and Anna Fjestad of Fergus Falls, Elmer and Lena Hexum of Alexandria, and Edna Fjestad of Fergus Falls; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is also survived by her special cat, “Pretty One”.  Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hedemarken Lutheran Church, rural Carlisle, MN Clergy:Reverend Marv Abrahamson Interment: Hedemarken Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Carlisle Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com