Elroy Allerd Kjelland

Elroy Allerd Kjelland, age 70, passed away July 23, 2013 at his home in Park River, North Dakota. Elroy Allerd Kjelland was born to Emil and Annie Kjelland on October 27, 1942 in Grafton, North Dakota. Elroy was raised on the family farm until the family moved into Park River. He attended Walsh County Agricultural School, graduating in 1960. Elroy also attended Wahpeton State School of Science. On October 7, 1961 Elroy married Mavis Elaine Myrvik at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Park River, ND. They had four children, Debbie, Todd, Kristi and Julie. Elroy and Mavis spent time between the Seattle Washington area and the Park River area before settling in Park River for retirement. Elroy farmed the family farm in rural Park River with his father for many years. Elroy and the family moved to Seattle where he worked at Boeing and Western Airlines during a couple winters. It was during this time he really discovered he liked the Seattle area. He returned to the family farm where he farmed for several more years. After farming, Elroy was employed by the Good Samaritan Center in Park River where he enjoyed having a good time with his co-workers. In 1985, Elroy and Mavis moved back to the Seattle area. In Seattle he worked for American Airlines until he retired in 2007. Travel and airplanes were two of his passions. Elroy traveled to many exciting places including; Norway, Acapulco Mexico, Vancouver Canada, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Florida, New York, California, Washington D.C., Denver Colorado, Knoxville and Nashville Tennessee. Elroy liked to collect Hot Wheel cars, farm toys and airplane toys and models. Elroy is survived by his four children; Debbie (Daryl) Bakke, Milton, WA; Todd Kjelland of Park River, ND; Kristi (Mike) Lukas, Spring Lake, MI and Julie (Miguel) Flores, Snoqualmie, WA. Grandchildren include: Kayla Bakke, Pullman, WA; Tyler Bakke, Milton, WA; Megan and Stephanie Kjelland, Bonney Lake, WA; Casey and Ashley Kjelland, Brady, TX; Kyle and Sierra Lukas, Spring Lake, MI; Kaya, Jacob, Andrew and Chase Flores, Snoqualmie, WA. He is also survived by a sister, JoAnn (Terry) Lykken of Fargo, ND and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mavis, and parents, Emil and Annie Kjelland. Memorial services will be Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Park River. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 P.M. with a prayer service at 5:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the Golden Valley Lutheran Cemetery of Rural Park River.