Miriam Shelstad

Miriam Helga Shelstad, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls.  She was born February 10, 1920, in Wilkin County, rural Rothsay, Minnesota, the daughter of Hilmer and Ellen (Klengson) Martinson. She grew up on the family farm in rural Rothsay, where she attended country school and later Breckenridge High School. She was confirmed in 1935 at Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay. On June 15, 1941, she married Juel Shelstad in Foxhome. After their marriage they resided in Foxhome Township on the family farm until 1973 when they retired and moved to Benson. They lived there in the summers, and spent their winters in Arizona. They later moved to Morris. In 1985 she moved to Wall Lake. She later resided at the Page House, Mill Street and most recently at the Pioneer Cottages and Pioneer Nursing Home. Miriam was an active member of Vukku Lutheran Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, and was currently a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. During their winters in Arizona she was active in building a congregation in Apache Junction. She also belonged to the Sunnyside Homemaker Club, and served as a 4-H Leader. She enjoyed walking in the outdoors, baking, and gardening – both flower gardens and vegetable gardens. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Juel in 1980; her son, Paul in 1984; a grandson, Wayne in 1980; three brothers: Oline, Ellsworth and Conrad; sisters-in-law, Hazel Jackson and Dorothy Ulness; and brothers-in-law, Harold Shelstad, Herman Lankow, and Kal Michels. Survivors include three children: Merlyn (Susan) Shelstad of Fergus Falls, Beverly (Don) Struxness of Milan, and Robert (Bobbie) Shelstad of Vergas; ten grandchildren: Eric (Rachael) Shelstad, Sara (Chad) Hanson, Daniel (Melissa) Struxness, Kari (Matthew) Feldhaus, Janelle (Ross) Scheevel, Stacy (Mike) Zahradka, Jamie (Kevin) Wozny, Heidi Shelstad, Stephanie (Kirk) Jacobs, and Kristen (Allen) Schimmel; 18 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Alwyn (Marilyn) Martinson, Gordon (Ardis) Martinson, and Donald (Richadeen) Martinson; three sisters: Lorraine Lankow, Virginia (Francis) Lankow, and Janice Michels; a sister-in-law, Marion Shelstad; and very close friend, Darlene Sigurdson. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 11 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Kate Bruns Interment: Vukku Lutheran Cemetery, rural Foxhome Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls