Ila Florine Langerud

Ila Florine Langerud, 92, longtime resident of Williston, ND, most recently of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully Monday, November 19, 2018, at Elim Care Center in Fargo.

Ila was born July 22, 1926, in Cando, ND to Alois and Minnie Petsinger. She was the oldest of four children. She graduated from Rock Lake High School in 1944. She attended Fargo Business College and then worked at a bank in Fargo. She also worked in an agricultural office specializing in crop insurance in Cando, ND, before she was married.

She married Palmer Langerud on October 27, 1948 in Rolla, ND. They were blessed with over 64 years of marriage together. They began their life together in Rock Lake, ND and then moved to Williston in 1953 so Palmer could begin his long-term career at the Williams County Highway Department. Ila was a loving stay at home mom to their three children and later worked for Williston Junior High School and Family Thrift Center. Loving, supporting, and caring for her family were always her top priorities.

Ila enjoyed camping, cooking, baking, and hand embroidering beautiful dish towels. Two years ago, despite being much more challenging at the time, she made a goal to embroider three dish towels for each of her three children and four grandchildren. She achieved that goal when all 21 towels were gifted at Christmas in 2016. She and Palmer were also longtime active members of the Good Sam RV Club. They loved traveling around the country in their motorhome with their RV friends.

Ila was a longtime active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Williston. She had a very strong faith, and during difficult times she would always say that faith would help her through. She inspired others to trust their faith and would often tell others, “You just have to have faith!” She was very active in her church circle and homemaker’s club, and was a longtime officer in the Degree of Honor Lodge.

She and Palmer lived in Williston until 2012 when they moved to Elim Care Center in Fargo. Palmer passed away August 13, 2013. Ila’s family would like to thank the staff of Elim Care Center for their wonderful and loving care of both Ila and Palmer over the past six years.

Ila is survived by her three children: son, Dennis (Phyllis) Langerud, Chula Vista, CA; daughter, Sharon (Melvin) Nitschke, Fargo, ND and their children, Andrew Nitschke, Fargo, ND and Justin Nitschke, West Fargo, ND; son, Larry (Barb) Langerud, Williston, ND and their children, Cass (Mike) Lund and their children, Jordan Lund and Jett Lund, all of West Fargo, ND; and Corey (Megan Sween) Langerud, Chandler, AZ. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Norma Petsinger, Evelyn Petsinger, and Gayl Petsinger, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Palmer; three brothers: Wayne, Lyle, and Myron “Mike”; an infant grandson, and an infant great-granddaughter, Alexis Faith Lund.