Evelyn Fjelstad, 94, Lake Mills

Published 9:06 am Monday, May 27, 2013

Evelyn P. Fjelstad, age 94, of Lake Mills, died Friday, May 24, 2013, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Evelyn Fjelstad

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with the Rev. David E. Jordon officiating. Burial will be in Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Evelyn (Groe) Fjelstad was born on July 15, 1918, in Worth County, to parents Elmer and Pearl (Sime) Groe. She grew up in the Silver Lake Township area, attending various country schools. She graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1937 at Lake Mills High School. Evelyn then went on to earn her teaching degree and taught in country schools in Worth County.

On Oct. 3, 1940, Evelyn was united in marriage with Leonard Fjelstad. The couple made their home in the Lake Mills area. To this union, seven children were born: Bonnie, Mary, David, Gary, Jim, Kathy and Cynthia.

While raising her family, Evelyn worked at the Grand Café and later at Deluxe Products, where she retired from in 1985. She also liked to stay active. She loved to bake, sew, play cards and board games, and visit with friends and family.

Evelyn had a memory that was indescribable. She could tell you the birthdates of all her 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was very active at Salem Lutheran Church with Mission Quilters and other mission work such as making layettes, health kits and school bags. She was especially proud when a few years ago, her circle had put together 100 school bags for the church.

She is survived by her children, Bonnie (Dave) Steffens, David (Donna) Fjelstad, Gary (Nancy) Fjelstad, Jim Fjelstad and Cynthia Fjelstad, all of Lake Mills, and Kathy Roush of Indianola, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a brother Arlen (Rhodette) Groe of Albert Lea; three sisters-in-law, Glennie Fjelstad of Lake Mills, Louise Groe of Albert Lea, and Maxyne Groe of Mankato; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard, in 1981; daughter, Mary, in 2011; seven brothers, Orin, Burnell, Elton, Duane, Gerald, Donald and Eugene Groe; and her sister, Carmen Butler.

You can contact the family with online condolences at www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.