Lois Glenda Bjelland was born February 26, 1916, in Mount Morris, Wisconsin, to Rev. Carl and Minnie (Rundhaug) Bjelland. As a child she lived with her family in Hanska, Wautoma, Wisconsin, and Northfield. She graduated from Northfield High School in 1934 and received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from St. Olaf College in 1938.  Lois was a registered nurse and did graduate work in public health nursing. During WWII she entered the US Army Nurse Corps, serving from July 1945 to June 1947. Following her honorable discharge she worked as a school nurse in Gary, Indiana. In October 1961, she was recalled to active military duty and was stationed at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas. When she was deactivated in 1962 she was a captain in the Army Medical Service. She then served in the Minnesota National Guard until at least 1977 and ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. She was a life member of the American Legion.

Following her return to Northfield in the 1960s, she lived with her mother and worked at St. Olaf College and later, the Ole Store.

Lois was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and sang for many years in the church choir. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and interested in genealogy and for many years was also an active member of the Sons of Norway.

Ms. Bjelland enjoyed square dancing, was a talented painter and enjoyed creating Indian beadwork, crewel embroidery, stuffed animals and Norwegian rya pillows and wall hangings called klokkestreng. Many of her paintings adorned her room in ThreeLinks during her seven years as a resident there.

Lois worked hard, was careful with her money, had many interests and a good sense of humor.

Lois never married. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Constance Miller; and 2 brothers: Luther and Glendor. Survivors include nieces and nephews.

Lois passed away Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Reflections~Care Suites on the Three Links Campus in Northfield, at the age of 94.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday, September 11, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. John E. Quam officiating. Music will be provided by Andrew Schaefer. Interment with Military Honors will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church or St. Olaf College.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.