Richard Bjelland

Funeral services for Richard Bjelland, age 86, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 7, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. James Kassera will officiate. Interment will be in the Lakewood Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion and V.F.W. Honor Guard. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Richard died on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Mayo Health Systems in Albert Lea.  
Richard Alan Bjelland was born on July 14, 1929 in Lakes Mills, Iowa, the son of Ernest and Bernice (Nessa) Bjelland. He grew up on the family farm near Lake Mills where he attended and graduated high school.  He attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. On September 21, 1951 Richard was united in marriage to Leona Stalheim in Albert Lea. He was a heating and air conditioning contractor, owning his own business, North Side Sheet Metal Shop. Richard was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in addition to the Sons of Norway and the American Legion. He enjoyed being with family and friends, reading the newspaper, working crossword puzzles, playing cribbage, and watching football and sports on television.  He also enjoyed family gatherings and outings and spending the winter months in Arizona.
Survivors include his wife Leona, daughters Julie (Martin) Bernau and Carol Bjelland, granddaughter Emily (Jordan) Bohonek, great-grandchildren Lauren and Reed Bohonek, nephew Scott (Sue) Bjelland, sister-in-law Lorraine (Paul) Grimsbo, brother-in-law Norlan (Betty) Stalheim, and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Elaine Bjelland; and grandson Nicholas Bernau.
In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family asks that you consider a memorial to Bethany Lutheran Seminary (Mankato, MN) or the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) Mission Program.