Olga Kjell

Olga Regine Resset Kjell, 97, formerly of Fergus Falls, passed away at Autumn Grace Assisted Living in Mankato, Minnesota, on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. Olga was born September 7, 1910, at home near Rothsay, Minnesota, to Ole and Ronnog Resset. She spoke only Norwegian until she started country school at District #73 in Trondhjem Township, Otter Tail County. In 1920 her family moved to Norwegian Grove Township where she attended District #48 and graduated from the 8th grade. She was baptized and confirmed at North Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. She took care of her parents in their later years, and also worked at a variety of jobs, including cooking at the Pelican Rapids Hospital and the Broen Home and waitressing at the Normandy Cafe`. On March 21, 1953, she married Elmer Kjell at Kensington, Minnesota, and they made their home in Orwell Township until they moved to Fergus Falls in 1985. She was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church where she had taught Sunday School and release-time classes and had been active in the quilting group. She moved to Mankato in 2002. Olga had an early interest in art which was encouraged by her father who gave her a correspondence course, and later by her art teacher, Mr. Charles Beck. She was privileged to sell many of her paintings for the enjoyment of others and to exhibit her work in many places including: the Fergus Falls Public Library, Lake Region Hospital, Concordia College and the Rourke Gallery in Moorhead, the Minnesota Rural Art Show in St. Paul, the Minnesota State Fair, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She was most proud of her work shown at the Minnesota Rural Art Show where she won the First Place Award in 1958 and the Purchase Award in 1959. More recently she was honored to be the featured artist at the 1998 Lincoln Avenue Fine Arts Festival in Fergus Falls. She is survived by her daughter, Mary (Roger) Normandin and grandchildren, Ruth and Joseph Normandin all of Mankato; sister-in-law, Lillian Resset of Pelican Rapids, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 1995; her parents; sisters Marie Osten and Ann Solum; brothers Ted, Ing, Carl, Anton and Gilman Resset; and several nieces and nephews. Blessed be the memory of Olga R. Kjell. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 3 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, with Reverend Paul Hadland officiating. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Garden in Fergus Falls. Visitation will be two hours before the service at the church. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com