Fern Elizabeth Tollerud

Betty Tollerud, age 86, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Sunday, February 19, 2012, atLake Region Healthcare, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Fern Elizabeth (Betty) Paulson was born February 17, 1926, at the family farm in rural Cormorant Township, Minnesota, the daughter of Adolph and Minnie (Hall) Paulson. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Ida Church near Cormorant. Betty attended rural school District #24 in Becker County through 8th grade and graduated from high school in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. After high school she lived with her sister, Margaret, in Fargo where they both worked at the Manchester Biscuit Company. Betty met her future husband at a dance in Pelican Rapids. On December 8, 1945, she was united in marriage (during a snow storm) to Mervin Tollerud at Gjerde parsonage in Pelican Rapids. She and Mervin farmed and raised their family in Norwegian Grove Township on the Tollerud family farm. Betty and Mervin were married for over 40 years. They were blessed with four children. Mervin died September 28, 1986. Betty moved to Mill Pond Apartments in Pelican Rapids.Since 1945 Betty was a member of North Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was active in the ladies aid, taught Sunday school and served on the church council. She was also a 4-H leader. She will be greatly missed by her children: Donald (Linda) Tollerud, Pelican Rapids, MN; Bruce (Carol) Tollerud, Brainerd, MN; Bradley (Pat) Tollerud, Pelican Rapids, MN; and Mary (Orland) Ohe, Rothsay, MN; 12 grandchildren: Travis Tollerud, Kara Tollerud, Brent Tollerud, Brian Tollerud, Becky Starnes, Staci Marich, Mandi Kurzweg, Brady Tollerud, Kati Thorland, Allison Grefsrud, Landon Ohe, Marshall Ohe and nine great-grandchildren; her sister Margaret (Sammy) Braton, Pelican Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Jane Solum, Pelican Rapids, MN; brothers-in-law: Charles (Helen) Tollerud and Orville Erickson, Bismarck, ND; and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband Mervin; her parents; sisters Florence (Meldor) Hanson, Ruth (Howard) Doherty, Doris (Darrell) Godwin, Marie (Bill) Nessa and Irene (Bill) Lambert; brothers: Melvin (Berneice) Paulson and Donald Paulson; sister-in-law: Ardelle (Tollerud) Erickson and brother-in-law: Donald Solum.Visitation: Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 5:00 7:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and one hour prior to the service at the church.Service: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012, North Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Clergy: Rev. Curt TilleraasBurial: North Immanuel Cemetery, rural Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaFuneral Home: Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaOnline Guestbook: www.larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com