hazel bernell baalson - Fulkerson - S
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Hazel Bernell Baalson was born in Tioga, ND, July 5, 1918 to parents Adolf and Bertha Borstad. She was the middle child preceded by brother, Morris and followed by younger sister, Florence. Her cousin Lorrayne also lived with the family. Their life on the farm revolved around farm chores and church and school activities. She graduated from Tioga High School and graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Teaching majoring in English. During her first four years of college she actively shared her talents in the college choir and traveled and toured where her expertise at the piano was recognized. Some of the highlights mentioned by Bernell were being a pianist at chapels and playing the Augsburg Loyalty March on their annual choir tours across the United States. She was also chosen to accompany Norman Myrvik, a visiting tenor from the New York Metropolitan opera. She taught school in Alexander and during her first year of teaching, she met Karsten Baalson who was interning there from Luther Seminary. Karsten and Bernell were united in marriage in July 1943. They settled in their first parish in Osnabrook and Milton, North Dakota, and later moved on to Wilmot, South Dakota where she shared her talents as accompanist, choir director, and pastor’s wife. In 1960 they moved west to Prineville, Oregon which brought them closer to family. They served at this final parish until 1979 when Karsten retired and they moved to Mt. Vernon, Washington to be near his parents and brother’s family. Painting, gardening, and traveling to North Dakota were activities both Bernell and Karsten enjoyed together. During the summer months they could be found at the farm near Tioga visiting with her mother, Bertha and the families of her brother Morris and sister Florence. Memories of summertime gatherings are plentiful and memorable with the farmhouse being the gathering place. Recently Bernell was instrumental in helping to start a new church, the Lord of Life Free Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, where she where served as their organist. Friends, family, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews played an important role in Bernell’s life. Those who love her and remain behind are her husband, Karsten of Mt. Vernon, WA; sister, Florence (Orville) Hiepler of Fall Brook, CA; cousin/sister, Lorrayne Lindsoe of Fargo, ND; nieces and nephews, Corrine (Bruce) Kjelvik of Mesa, AZ, Juris (Helen) Borstad of Kallispell, MT, Dorene (Curt) McDougall Minneapolis, MN, Ilene (Robert) Bradberry of Laguna Niguel, CA, and Mark (Michelle) Hiepler of Camarillo, CA; the family of Nelene Fox, and Karen (Denny) Haucks, Patti (Richard) Travis, and Steve Baalson together with dear friends, Bev Lentz and Jerry and Sheri Winesor. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Morris and Olga Borstad; nieces, Ardell Borstad and Nelene Hiepler-Fox; and great-nephew, Troy Beasley. Bernell will be dearly missed. May her memory be blessed among us.
Transcript of hazel bernell baalson - Fulkerson - S
Hazel Bernell Baalson was born in Tioga, ND, July 5, 1918 to parents Adolf and Bertha Borstad. She was the middle child preceded by brother, Morris and followed by younger sister, Florence. Her cousin Lorrayne also lived with the family. Their life on the farm revolved around farm chores and church and school activities. She graduated from Tioga High School and graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Teaching majoring in English. During her first four years of college she actively shared her talents in the college choir and traveled and toured where her expertise at the piano was recognized. Some of the highlights mentioned by Bernell were being a pianist at chapels and playing the Augsburg Loyalty March on their annual choir
tours across the United States. She was also chosen to accompany Norman Myrvik, a visiting tenor from the New York Metropolitan opera. She taught school in Alexander and during her first year of teaching, she met Karsten Baalson who was interning there from Luther Seminary. Karsten and Bernell were united in marriage in July 1943. They settled in their first parish in Osnabrook and Milton, North Dakota, and later moved on to Wilmot, South Dakota where she shared her talents as accompanist, choir director, and pastor’s wife. In 1960 they moved west to Prineville, Oregon which brought them closer to family. They served at this final parish until 1979 when Karsten retired and they moved to Mt. Vernon, Washington to be near his parents and brother’s family. Painting, gardening, and traveling to North Dakota were activities both Bernell and Karsten enjoyed together. During the summer months they could be found at the farm near Tioga visiting with her mother, Bertha and the families of her brother Morris and sister Florence. Memories of summertime gatherings are plentiful and memorable with the farmhouse being the gathering place. Recently Bernell was instrumental in helping to start a new church, the Lord of Life Free Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, where she where served as their organist. Friends, family, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews played an important role in Bernell’s life. Those who love her and remain behind are her husband, Karsten of Mt. Vernon, WA; sister, Florence (Orville) Hiepler of Fall Brook, CA; cousin/sister, Lorrayne Lindsoe of Fargo, ND; nieces and nephews, Corrine (Bruce) Kjelvik of Mesa, AZ, Juris (Helen) Borstad of Kallispell, MT, Dorene (Curt) McDougall Minneapolis, MN, Ilene (Robert) Bradberry of Laguna Niguel, CA, and Mark (Michelle) Hiepler of Camarillo, CA; the family of Nelene Fox, and Karen (Denny) Haucks, Patti (Richard) Travis, and Steve Baalson together with dear friends, Bev Lentz and Jerry and Sheri Winesor. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Morris and Olga Borstad; nieces, Ardell Borstad and Nelene Hiepler-Fox; and great-nephew, Troy Beasley.
Bernell will be dearly missed. May her memory be blessed among us.
In Memory Of Bernell Baalson
Date And Place Of Birth July 5, 1918
Rural Tioga, North Dakota
Date And Place Of Death January 28, 2009
Mt. Vernon, Washington
Graveside Service 10:00 am, Friday, May 29, 2009 Zion Lutheran Cemetery Tioga, North Dakota
Clergy Pastor Rodger Olson
Vocalists Zion Ladies Trio
Casketbearers Juris Borstad Howard Borstad Bruce Kjelvik Curt McDougall Elwood Olson Elroy Hanson
Honorary Casketbearer Beverly Lentz
You may share your remembrances and condolences with the family at the Fulkerson Funeral Home website
www.fulkersons.com
HOW GREAT THOU ART
Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
CHORUS
Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
When Christ shall come With shout of acclamation
To take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim my God how great Thou art
CHORUS
Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul my savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
