Thelma Helena (Oksendahl) Fjellanger, the daughter of Lars and Karen (Thorson) Oksendahl was born June 11, 1920 in the rural Rugby, North Dakota home of her parents.  She died at the age of 93 years on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby.

Thelma was raised on her parents’ farm in Christenson Township, Pierce County south of Rugby and received her education in country school near her home.  On September 22, 1946 she was united in marriage to Vernon Jesse Fjellanger at Bethel Lutheran Church in rural Rugby.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home, farmed and raised their children on a farm in Christenson Township.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and home maker, she was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Rugby, Bethel Ladies Aid, the church choir and a longtime Sunday School Teacher, the American Legion Auxiliary and a birthday club.  Thelma enjoyed crocheting, quilting, baking  and cooking Norwegian specialties, and was an avid reader.  She loved her family and stressed the importance of family.

Thelma is survived by a son, Ronald (Barb) of Rugby, daughters, Karen Fjellanger and Linda Fjellanger, both of Moorhead, Minnesota; grandchildren, John (Lisa) and their children, Gracie and Emily, Jennifer (David) Tiegen and their children, Carter, Rhett and Grant, Juliann (Jade) Hanson and their child, Blakely, and Justin (Jeccica) and their children, Wyatt and Westen; a sister-in-law, Joyce Ann Brandt of Rugby; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; a sister, Sigrid Oksendahl; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Rugby.  Pastor Mike Pretzer and Pastor Sharon Baker, Officiating. 

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby and will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Friday.