Wallace "Sonny" E. Mjelde

Wallace E. “Sonny” Mjelde, 94, a life-long resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Lake Region Hospital.

He was born in Fergus Falls on December 12, 1920 to Fritz and Blanche (Charest) Mjelde. He was a lineman for the Fergus Falls High School football team in high school and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1939. He would always refer to Fergus Falls as “the village”.

On September 13, 1947 he married Gene Elizabeth Sharp. Sonny and Gene owned and operated the Neighborhood Grocery for 26 years. Later on, Sonny developed phlebitis and was advised to decrease his 80 hour work weeks to 40 hours. He then went to work at the Fergus Falls Post Office and retired after 19 years mostly spent as a window clerk.

He served in the US Army with Hq. 89th Infantry Division and later with the 83rd Infantry Division., where he served in Austria. He was in the original cadre at Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served oversees in France, Germany, Austria, and was discharged as a T/Sergeant after three years and 4 months of service.

Sonny was an avid sports fan and enjoyed all sports including hunting and fishing. His dear wife would always say that the only difference in sports during the year was the shape of the ball.

He was an avid Otter football and basketball fan. Over a 60 -year period he missed very few of the home games the Otters played. Before high school basketball was divided into different classes he never missed a District, Regional, or State game when the Otters were involved. In 2013 he was inducted into the Fergus Falls Sports Hall of Fame by the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce for the “2013 Outstanding Fan Award.”

Sonny enjoyed life, tried to remain cheerful and had the sarcastic sense of humor that was characteristic of Don Rickels. He perhaps offended some people through life but hoped he made a friend or two along the way.

He enjoyed writing letters and spent a lot of time at his Smith-Corona portable typewriter, later graduating to a computer. He always had a visitation list and would visit with friends often.

He was a member of The Federated Church all his life and served on the Board of Managers several times as well as serving as a Deacon and an Elder. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the VFW, and Elks and the Masons.

He always said it took him five minutes to adjust to retirement and he would say he still spent 40 hours each week “bugging” people. His dear wife, Gene, put up with more antics than any other woman on earth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his great-granddaughter, Annie Grace Blake.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gene; a daughter, Sherry Mjelde Landrud (Robert) a son, Myron Mjelde (Pam) and a half-brother, Jim Mjelde; five grandchildren, Megan Landrud Blake (Jonathan), Greta Landrud Peters (Paul), Nicole Mjelde Tadros (Mike), Naomi Mjelde (Ty) and Brandon Mjelde; six great-grandchildren, Skyla Mjelde, Dylan and Hunter Canton, Evelyn and Oliver Blake, and William Paul Peters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to “Fergus Falls Athletics” 601 East Randolph Avenue, Fergus Falls. This fund assists student athletes of all ages with financial limitations to have the opportunity to fully participate in their designated sports.

This full obituary was written by Sonny. He would sign off with his favorite slogan, KEEP THE FAITH!

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2015 with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015, at The Federated Church in Fergus Falls with a luncheon, and a menu planned by Sonny, to follow at the church.
Clergy: Reverend Doug Dent
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 612
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.