119 Third Street Southwest ~ Rugby, North Dakota ~ 58368-1797
Chapel of the Cross ~ Towner, North Dakota
Jon M. Stork - President / Licensed Director

Phone: 701.776.6381 ~ 701.537.5130
Fax: 701.776.5916
email: afhrugbytowner@gondtc.com


 

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Arne Leroy Hjelmstad

Arne Leroy Hjelmstad, the son of Iver and Sophie (Hjelmstad) Hjelmstad was born on January 26, 1926 in Holmes, North Dakota or as Arne would say in the northwest upstairs bedroom.  He died at the age of 89 years on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva, North Dakota.

Madonna ‘Donna’ Marie (Driscoll) Hjelmstad, the daughter of George and Agnes (Dorscher) Driscoll was born on March 7, 1930 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  She died at the age of 85 years on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva, North Dakota.

Arne was raised in the home of his parents on their farm and attended Union Township school.  He went on to farm with his father and his brother, Harry.  His other jobs included being a bulk truck driver in Grand Forks, Manager of the Farmers Union in Forman and Erie, North Dakota.  He became a Marketing Representative for Cenex for 33 years.  He called on stations in the North Central Region in ND.  He retired in 1987 and was honored to have Myron Floren play at his retirement party.  Arne was involved in the Towner Community Volunteer Fire Department, Chairman of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Towner Men’s golf club.  He enjoyed playing horseshoe, gardening, camping, having pitch fork steak fondues for groups and he loved baseball, especially the Minnesota Twins.  He played baseball as a catcher and was chosen to be on an All-Star team in his early 20’s.  He loved watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their sporting events and had a special seat in the Towner gymnasium.

Donna was raised in the home of her parents.  She worked at the Headbolt Heater factory, as a waitress in a diner and at the Towner Variety Store.  She was known as an excellent cook and baker and for her delicious brownies, caramel rolls and GD cookies.  She baked and decorated all of her children’s wedding cakes.  She enjoyed playing Yahtzee and working on word finds.  Her community activities were Whist Club and Ladies Gold Club.  She enjoyed her morning and afternoon coffee buddies.

Arne and Donna were united in marriage on August 25, 1948 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  The couple met at a barn dance and just celebrated their 67th anniversary.  Throughout their marriage they resided in Holmes, Erie, Forman, Northwood, Towner and most recently Somerset in Minot and Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.  Together they raised four children, two sons, Arlen and Darwin and twin daughters, Ranee and Rynette.  They had a special bond and love for each other.

They are survived by their children, Arlen (Denise) Hjelmstad of Hampden, Ranee (Armon) Zens of Redfield, SD and Rynette (Byron) Burckhard of Minot; daughter-in-law, Karen Hjelmstad of Towner; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; a special family friend, Twila Larson of Towner; sister-in-law, Delores Hjelmstad; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  They were preceded in death by a son, Darwin; grandson, Jordan Severson; Arne’s siblings, Harry, Sarah Hjelmstad and Harriett Clemetson; Donna’s siblings, Joe Driscoll and Bernice Walsh; and their parents.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31 at Zion Lutheran Church in Towner with burial in the Union Cemetery, Towner.  Wally Fretland, officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Towner with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services on Thursday at the church.


Posted Condolences:

Rynette and family,
I'm so very sorry to learn of your parents' death.  My prayers are with you. What a blessing to have spent Christmas with them. Know that I'm thinking of you and all your family.
Shirley


Arlen, Ranee, Rynette
Sorry to hear about the passing of Arne and Donna.  We were up there in Sept. and tried to visit them in Velva but couldn't wake either of them up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Bruce & Marlys Jerve


What sad news it was when Nancy called to tell us of their deaths.  Hard to believe that they died so close together but they probably would have wanted it that way.  I enjoyed talking to them on the phone often when they first went to assisted living. They would both get on the phone.  Hollis and I plan to drive to Towner for the prayer service on Wednesday night, weather permitting.  Our love to all of you.
Bev Quamme


To the Hjelmstad family;  Many, many years ago when I was an 8th grader, I stayed with your family during the ND Class B Boys Basketball Tournaments that were in Minot.   I am friends with the Olsen Family (Bonnie) of Hillsboro.  It was my first time away from home.  Your family was wonderful to me!  Then Ranee, you moved to New Rockford where I lived with my husband, Michael.  And you were such a kind, kind person and outstanding teacher too!   Life has its way of stopping us and noticing good people….when I saw  the names of Arnie and Donna Hjelmstad in today's Obituaries in the GF Herald, I knew immediately those fine people!   My condolences to your family….your parents were such fine, fine people and good role models to all of us.  
Barb Watson


Arlen,
My condolences to you and your family on the death of your parents. I enjoyed working with Arne while he was a Cenex Rep and as a member of the retirees group. May they rest in peace ... together.  -Connie


Our condolences to the family, I worked with Arne and Marilyn and I enjoyed both Arne and Donna at the retirement meetings and get together May they rest in peace.
Bob and Marilyn Kramer


Ranee and Family,
We are very sorry for the loss of your loved ones.  We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.  Hold your memories close.  Stay strong.
~Scott & Deb Beilke


Arne and Donna were our close friends during the early 60s when we both lived in Forman, ND.  We had three children while Arne and Donna had four. Our friendship started when Donna and Eloyce had Fargo clinic appointments before our daughters Carla and twins Rynette and Renee were born.  Soon, Hjelmsteads had three in diapers and the Kenwards two – many cups of coffee were drunk while folding those lovely cloth diapers.
Once when Jim was out of town, Eloyce called Arne to report that the Kenward furnace had gone out.  Arne came over, looked at the furnace and flipped on the blower switch.  Evidently the children had turned off the switch while playing that afternoon.  However, Arne jokingly accused Eloyce of luring him over to check the furnace while husband Jim was out of town.  We had many laughs over Arne’s version of the story. Our oldest son, Steve, and Arlen were good friends.  They often took a shortcut over an icy slough when walking home.  Arne had warned them to stay away from the slough, but the boys didn’t listen and sure enough Arlen fell into the icy water.  Steve was unable to rescue Arlen so ran to the Cenex station to get Arne who pulled Arlen to safety.
In 1966, when a three day blizzard was heading our way, Jim was driving from Minot to Maddock by way of Towner.  Even though the snow was blowing, he made a brief stop at the Hjelmstead’s in Towner.  When Arne got home that evening, his kids gave him a headline news report, “Jim Kenward was here and the bed broke down”.
Donna and Arne were truly a team.  Both were kind, understanding and stood for what was right.  They worked to make things better without acknowledgement or applause.  We are so sorry for your loss.
Eloyce and Jim Kenward


Arlen, Ranee, and Rynette,
You were so blessed to have parents like Arne and Donna.  They were two of the best people I've ever met and I grieve at your loss.Curt and I were also blessed to have known them for many years.  My deepest sympathy to you. 
Carol Tande   


To the Hjelmstad Family.  I am so sorry to here the passing of your Parents.  I remember Arne loved to do the Pitch Fork Suppers for Cenex Appreciation Day and would always have a little something in the Motorhome for afterwards.  He had a great sense of humor and a mischeivious smile,  My Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time.
wally renfrow


Arlen,Ranee,Rynette
I have many memories of both your parents from the time when our dads worked together. One of my favorites was Arne had a machine that made miniature tires that was supposed to demonstrate the quality of coop tires to the stations as he traveled. One time in Drake I was there and Arne made me my own tire, which I thought was worth a million dollars, I still have it. Both Arne and Donna made a kid feel important , may they rest in peace and may God bless their memory.
Steve Perdue


So sorry to hear that your parents have passed away.  Fred and I always enjoyed their company at CENEX events. They were a wonderful couple in the CENEX family.  May they rest in peace.  
Bette Jane Boeshans

 


 


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