Elda Hall

Elda Corrine Brunzell was born on March 18, 1921, to parents Conrad and Grace Brunzell at Fergus Falls, MN. She attended school in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1939. She graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1941, and taught in Leonard, ND. In 1942, she married Richard G. Hall and they had four children: Rick Hall (Verna Kragnes) of Osceola, WI; Cheryl (John) Kippen, Detroit Lakes, MN; Connie (Rod) Jahnke, Audubon, MN; and Margo (Teddy) Beach, Hillsboro, ND. She is also survived by grandchildren, Ellen Harris, Kadie Kippen, Lizanne Wixo, and Jack Kippen and great-grandchildren, Drew, Lily, and Gabriel. Elda was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Vivian Olson; and husband, Dick. She had a great love for the arts and family and excelled at in her roles of mother, wife, cook, homemaker and business partner. Dick and Elda pioneered the Hall Vending Company and the Polar Drive-In, an original ‘50’s eatery on what was then the northern edge of Fargo at 19th Ave. and University Drive. Active in high school in drama, sports, Acapela Choir and Masonic Rainbow, as an adult she was a member of the PTA, La Sertoma, and the First Methodist Church in Fargo. Most of all, a loving mother and grandmother, she enjoyed drama, painting, crossword puzzles, shell collecting and bird watching. Her colorful and fanciful paintings grace the walls of her children’s homes. Elda was her children’s biggest fan, encouraging their creativity and development in many areas. Her love of water—lake and ocean led to summers and sunsets at Melissa Lake, and walking the sands of the Gulf of Mexico in Dunedin and Clearwater Beach, Florida, where she and Dick lived for 20 years and operated the Black Ostrich, a seaside gift shop. She will be remembered by many for her sensitive listening and concern for children, neighbors, friends, and caregivers—everyone she met was touched by her loving, gentle interest and attention; and captivated by her beautiful blue eyes and warm smile. Elda died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, Mayville office. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Altru Home Health, both Mayville, ND. A memorial service will be held at Eksjo Lutheran Church, Hwy. 10 near Lake Park, MN on Friday, July 18th 2008 at 2:00 pm. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN .