Thief River Falls – Ardelle Hjelle, 82, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston.
Ardelle Faye Hjelle was born December 22, 1940 at home in rural Newfolden, to Oscar Emil and Selma M. (Strand) Hjelle. She was baptized on May 28, 1941 by Pastor Myhrer and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Viking on December 5, 1954. Ardelle attended Viking Grade School, Newfolden High School, graduating in May of 1958 and Lutheran Bible Institute Golden Valley Junior College graduating in May of 1962 with a degree in Parish work.
Ardelle worked as an Office Clerk at Marshall County Assessor’s Office in Warren, from June 1958 until August 1960. She then worked as a Parish Worker and Director of Christian Education at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD and Watertown, SD from 1962 until 1970. From 1970 until 2003, Ardelle was the Job Service Representative and Office Manager in Sisseton and Milbank, SD.
Following retirement, Ardelle made her home in Thief River Falls, where she was a primary caregiver for her siblings. She also worked at Digi-Key for a short time.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Elizabeth Circle in Thief River Falls.
Survivors include nieces and nephews, Clark (Sherry) Hjelle, Steven (Debbie) Hjelle, Byron (Cheryl) Stokke, Coco (Casey) Kayser, Kimberly (Gerard) Novak; nephew-in-law, Douglas Olson; great nieces and nephews, Troy (Melissa) Hjelle, Mandy (Dominic) Broda, Ryan Hjelle, Jodi (John) Westgard, Robert (Marilyn) Olson, Shaine (Rita) Olson, Christopher (Jen) Stokke, Kevin (Viry) Stokke, Kara (Jeff) Hillman, Craig (Kelsey) Stokke, Mckenzie (Matt) Peck, Derek Kayser, Alyssa (Jon) Novak-Haman; many great great nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Orville Hjelle, Roger Hjelle, and Virgil (Marville) Hjelle; sisters, Maxine (Robert) Prickett, Vernace (Percey) Stokke, Amy, Mae and June Hjelle; and special niece, Marlys (Stokke) Olson.
The service to celebrate Ardelle’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Clark Hjelle officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Bjorsness Cemetery, rural Newfolden.
Memorials suggested to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Westaker Free Lutheran Church Trumpet of Truth.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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