Shirley B. Bjellum

Shirley Buryl (Bjornstad) Bjellum, 76, of Fargo ND, passed away on August 22, 2012 in Fargo ND.

Shirley was born on November 27th, 1935, in Arnegard, ND, to Bryan and Buryl Bjornstad. She attended high school in Arnegard. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead for one year before transferring to Minot State University for her final 3 years. At Minot State, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Subsequently, Shirley married Kjell Gilbert Bjellum on August 26th, 1960, in Arnegard at Wilmington Lutheran Church.

Prior to getting married, she worked as an elementary school teacher for a few years before starting a family and concentrating on raising her children. Shirley and Kjell lived in many communities due to the Air Force including New Hampshire, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Rapid City, SD, and Williston, ND.

Shirley and Kjell ran a successful office cleaning service in Williston for many years. After selling their business, Shirley went to work as a “traveling interviewer” for Mathematica Policy Research. She and Kjell travelled around the tri-state area for several years before Kjell became ill and passed away in 1999. After Kjell’s passing, Shirley moved to Rochester, MN, for a few years before moving to Fargo where she entered Bethany Gables Assisted Living and eventually the Bethany Nursing Home.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, reading, and researching her genealogy. Shirley was involved with Sons of Norway in Rapid City, SD, and helped her husband Kjell start the Borgund Lodge #532. She was also very proud to recently be accepted as an official member of the “Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR.” She had successfully shown that her ancestor, Colonel William Stacy, was involved in the American Revolution.

Shirley is survived by her five children Lise DeAnn Charles, Dr. Hans Erik and wife Jodi Bjellum, Karla Renee and husband Shawn Ward, Karen Michele Bjellum, and Karl Edward and wife Marcy Bjellum; Her sister Geraldine Seedorf; Grandchildren: Timothy Bryan Charles, Tiffany May Charles, Tiana Mai Charles, Taylor John Charles, Brooke Shelby Bjellum, Connor Jakob Bjellum, Samuel Karl Bjellum, Kaitlyn Rae Bjellum, Nicholas Kjell Bjellum, Paige Josie Bjellum, Alexander Shawn Ward, and Maxwell Milt Bjellum; Great-Grandchildren: Thorian Bryan Charles, Hunter Alan Charles, Annika Christine Charles, and Milo Pahl Ybarra.

Shirley Bjellum is preceded in death by her husband Kjell Bjellum, her parents Bryan and Buryl Bjornstad, and her brother Charles Bjornstad.

The family of Shirley Buryl Bjornstad Bjellum wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Bethany Gables Assisted Living and Nursing Home, Hope Lutheran Church, Wilmington Lutheran Church, Essentia Health Hospital, F/M Ambulance-Fire, and Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard, ND.

Funeral: Monday, August 27, 2012, 2:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church - South Campus, Fargo, ND, with Pastor Chuck Olmstead officiating.

Visitation: One hour prior to services at the church

Burial will take place Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 1:00 PM at Wilmington Lutheran Cemetery in Arnegard, ND. Following the interment, family will gather at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard.

Shirley's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm