Violet Bjelland

Violet “Vi” (Johnson) Bjelland was born August 3, 1930, at the family farm in Urness Township.  She was the first child of Adolph and Alice (Anderson) Johnson.  She was baptized September 21, 1930, at the West Moe Lutheran Church and confirmed at Lands Lutheran Church, Hoffman.  She attended country school and graduated from Evansville High School in 1949.

Vi married Ralph Bjelland on December 20, 1956, at St Petri Church in Minneapolis, MN. Together they were blessed with two children Cynthia and Michael. The family made their home in Minneapolis.  Vi was employed for 40 years at Federal Reserve Bank and Norwest Bank.  She treasured her lifelong “work” girlfriends. While living in Minneapolis they were members of Saint Phillips Lutheran Church in Fridley and Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.  She enjoyed being a Sunday School teacher when her kids were young. In 1994 Vi and Ralph moved to Hoffman, MN.  They joined Messiah Lutheran Church. In 2003 they moved to Alexandria, MN.  After Ralph passed away, she made her home for many years at Grand Arbor.

Vi’s greatest enjoyment in life were the times spent with her family.  She enjoyed her younger years creating memories on the family farm with her siblings.  During retirement Vi cherished the extra time to spend with Ralph.  This included searching for Hoffman memorabilia at auctions and attending every lutefisk dinner around the local area.

Her favorite role in life was being called grandma.  Countless memories were made when spending time with the grandchildren at their home in the Twin Cities or at the cabin on Elk Lake.

Vi was a dedicated Minnesota Twins fan and found enjoyment in watching other sports as well.

Violet (Vi) Bjelland died on June 30, 2022, at the age of 91 years at Edgewood Vista in Alexandria, MN. She is survived by daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Starner of Hoffman, MN; daughter-in-law, Deb Bjelland of Brandon, SD; grandchildren, Lacey (Eric) Springer of Alexandria, MN; Nicole Amundson of Elbow Lake, MN; Sherman (Yesenia Guzman) of Hanover, MN; Michael (Jacob Kamenir) Starner of Albert Lea, MN; and Michael (Kathryn) Bjelland of Sioux Falls, SD; five great-grandchildren, Hunter and Hayden Springer, Brett and Aubrey Amundson, and Carter Junker; brother, Dave (Jean) Johnson of Alexandria, MN; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Carolyn Bjelland of Waconia, MN; and nieces and nephews.

Vi is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; son, Michael; parents, Adolph and Alice; and siblings: Ad (Gene) Jones, Marvin (Clem) Johnson, and Anna Marie Vinneau; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Virgina Stensland.

Vi’s strong faith guided her in her daily life.  She will rest in the arms of the Lord forever, reunited with her husband and son.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials preferred to: Messiah Lutheran Church, Lands Cemetery, Grant County Historical Society.