MILDRED LENORA HETLAND

Mildred Lenora Knutson Hetland Mildred Lenora Knutson Hetland was born on the family farm in Binford, ND to Ole and Karoline (Lena Thune) Knutson. She was raised in the Binford area attending school and church. She was baptized Dec. 21, 1916 and confirmed June 14, 1931 in the Binford Lutheran church. She married Charles Hetland on April 12, 1936 at Hannaford , ND. They lived on a farm near Hannaford and raised 3 sons Charles Jr, David, and Allen. Mildred was very active in her community. She taught Sunday School for 14 years, taught Vacation Bible School, held several offices in the Faith Lutheran ALCW, and was active in the Hannaford unit of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was honored as a lifetime member for her 45 years of service to this organization. She served as the secretary and treasurer of the State County Commissioners Auxiliary for 2 years, was an officer in the Hannaford School PTA and served on the committee for the Hannaford community and school reunion in 1976. Mildred’s life revolved around family and friends. Her family always enjoyed her fine culinary skills and loving hospitality. Getting together with friends and family for birthday parties and other special occasions were favorite memories. She looked forward to the Monday afternoon bowling league and Tuesday afternoons spent at Faith Lutheran church assembling quilts for world relief. The Hetland Excavating business sponsored a bowling team for many years. Her many bowling trophies proved how much fun she had. Mildred loved farm living and nature. She loved spring when the earth came alive with its beauty. She loved the sight of a harvest moon making the stubble fields golden. She often said leaving the trees behind was one of the most difficult things she had to do when moving off the farm. In 1984, after 50 years of farming in the Hannaford area, they retired and moved to Valley City, ND. During these retirement years, Mildred belonged to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, did volunteer work at nursing homes and the Barnes County Museum, and loved entertaining at their house. After 59 years of marriage, Charles died on July 19, 1995 and Mildred continued to live in Valley City. In 2003, she moved to Kelleher Manor in Hillsboro, and then in the fall of 2008, she moved to Edgewood Vista at Fargo, ND. It was there on March 8, 2014, when she entered heaven to be with Jesus, her Savior and her loved ones waiting for her. Surrounded by her sons, she passed away peacefully while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and the Edgewood Vista staff. Mildred’s greatest love was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were all so special to her and brought much joy into her life. Survivors include: Charles (Dianne) Hetland, Allen Hetland, and daughter-in-law, Dorothe Jean Hetland 10 grandchildren: David Hetland, Jr ., Dick (Julie) Hetland, Dale (Ruth) Hetland, Karoll Walsh, Lynette (Shawn)Usry , Stephanie Neiffer, Dan (Erin) Hetland, Kevin Hetland, Aaron Hetland, and Bill Miller; 10 great grandchildren: Jonathan Hetland, Jacob Hetland, Dominique Walsh, Tawny Walsh, Jessica Neiffer, Alex Hetland, Emma Hetland, Elizabeth Usry, Payton and Sophie Hetland, Ray Langseth and 1 great great grandchild Anthony Hetland Brothers: Hillard (Ann) Knutson, Robert (Marie) Knutson, Gordon (Becky) Knutson, and many dearly loved nieces and nephews and special friends. Mildred was preceded in death by: her husband, Charles; her son, David; her parents Ole and Karoline (Lena) Knutson Brothers: Reuben, Conrad, Melvin, Clayton, Sisters: Ruth Ramsey, Thelma Erlandson, Elna Olson, Irene Knutson, Eunice Knutson. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 15, 2014 10:30 am in the Faith Lutheran Church, Hannaford, ND. Visitation will be Friday, March 14, 2014 from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be Friday at 7:00 pm in the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Faith Lutheran Cemetery in the spring.