Beulah Bjornrud

Beulah Evelyn Bjornrud, age 90, of Newfolden, MN went to be with her Lord in the early morning hours of April 12, 2019 at Carefree Living in Virginia MN with family by her side. She was born on April 1, 1929 in New Maine Township, the ninth of 13 children born to Hartvig and Tena (Anderson) Hanson. Their home was filled with music as she and her siblings played instruments and sang together. Beulah attended Trinity Bible School in Minneapolis at the age of 18 and worked at a children’s home and a Sears store before returning to Newfolden. Beulah married Merle Bjornrud on June 20, 1952 in Newfolden. They began their life together in a tiny home on the Bjornrud farm in Marsh Grove Township and soon moved to raise their growing family in Newfolden. They returned to the farm in 1971 and lovingly cared for the farm together for 46 years. Beulah was an accomplished gardener and grew beautiful gardens. She enjoyed sharing her park-like yard with family and friends. Beulah loved music and encouraged her children to love it as well. A talented musician, she sang and played the piano, accordion, guitar, and several other instruments. She enjoyed making recordings, accompanying and harmonizing with herself on songs she loved. She often filled her living room with family and friends for a time of playing instruments and singing gospel songs. She and Merle were involved with the Newfolden Area Gospel String Band for many years and they often brought her accordion to area nursing homes, sharing music and devotions. She continued her music ministry as she was able while residing at Carefree Living. Beulah loved and served the Lord. She accepted Christ as the Savior and Lord of her life as a teenager. Her faith was an active faith. She was a member of the Newfolden Evangelical Free Church and touched many lives while serving as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and Deaconess for many years. A loving and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Beulah rarely forgot a birthday or anniversary, and sent dozens of cards each year to family and friends. Beulah loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a wonderful gathering that included all her children, and many family members and friends. Beulah is survived by her children: Marlin (Jeannine) Bjornrud of Embarrass, MN, Bonnie (Steve) Hanson of Bemidji, MN, Linda (Charles) Glanzer of Beresford, SD; and Janet (Mike) Simonson of Lakeland, MN; siblings: Clarence Hanson of Fargo, ND, Earl (Janice) Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN, Bennie (Lilly) Hanson of Welcome, MN, Floyd (DeEtta) Hanson of Newfolden, MN, Alfred (Dorothy) Hanson of Denver, CO, Clara (Burlin) Jacobson of Cottage Grove, MN; sister-in-law Lorraine Smith of Sioux Falls SD and brother-in-law Wayne (Carol) Bjornrud of Thief River Falls, MN; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; extended family and friends. Beulah was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Merle; her parents, her sister, Adella, and brothers, Carl, John, Ernest, Ralph, and Knute (Arnie). A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Evangelical Free Church of Newfolden, MN.  Her son, Pastor Marlin Bjornrud, will officiate.  Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the church.  Interment will follow in the Bethania Cemetery, Newfolden.  Family services provided by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert and Aurora.  To share condolences online, please see www.zmsfuneralhome.com