Ethel R. Mohagen

Ethel R. Mohagen, age 87 of Grand Forks, ND and formerly of Grafton, ND passed away Monday, November 16, 2009 at Hearthstone of 4000 Valley Square. Ethel Ruth Anderson was born September 2, 1922 in Dupree, SD the daughter of the late Carl A. and Hazel (Martin) Anderson. She grew up and graduated from Dupree High School. She worked as a waitress in the local café. This is where Ethel met her future husband Roy Mohagen. The couple was married on June 29, 1941 in Inglewood, CA. The couple lived in Roscoe, CA until 1945 when they moved to Grafton. They started farming in 1947 and Ethel worked at the Peoples' Bakery. In 1962 she started working at the Lutheran Sunset Home in food services and retired from there after 25 years of service as Dietary Supervisor. Roy passed away on September 29, 1996. Ethel continued to make her home in Grafton until 2001 when she moved to the Edgewood Vista in East Grand Forks, MN. In December of 2005 she moved to Hearthstone at 4000 Valley Square in Grand Forks. Ethel was a charter member of the Bethel Free Lutheran Church in Grafton where she was active in many organizations. She was also a charter member of the Walsh County Historical Society and served on the board. Ethel was happiest in the kitchen whether it was at home, church, Bible Camp, the Lutheran Sunset Home or Heritage Village. She enjoyed gardening and won prizes for her canning and baking at the county fair. She joyfully served her Saviour by serving others. She is survived by her children: Delores Fast, Thompson, ND; Donald (Carol) Mohagen, Minot, ND; Henry (Linda) Mohagen, Reva, SD; seven grandchildren: Anthony (Susan) Fast, Glasgow, MT; Janelle (Trevor) McCollough, Moorhead, MN; Jennifer (Jon) Dryburgh, Grafton, ND; Robert (Kasey) Mohagen, Towner, ND; Faith (Jesse) Fahnestock, Willow City, ND; Michael Mohagen, Camp Pendleton, CA; Abigail, (Jeremy) Wolfe, Minot, ND; sister-in-law: Evelyn Anderson, Dupree, SD. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Ethel was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters: Carol (Willis) Thomas, Thelma (Harry) Dykstra, brother Calvin, infant brother Walter and two nephews: Jewell and Terry Thomas and son-in-law Dennis Fast. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church, 1566 Hill Avenue of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at the 4000 Valley Square at 4000 24th Ave. South in Grand Forks. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.