The members of the Brandon History Center, the Brandon City Council, the residents and so many visitors are so grateful to Joan for her generous donation and support of the Brandon History Center. She was the force that helped us to get started. Joan was a constant provider of encouragement. May she rest in peace.
Obituary for Joan Fjoslien
Joan Carol
Erdahl Fjoslien died at Bethany on the morning of September 26, 2015 at the age
of 80 years. On Thursday, September 24, 2015, Joan was asked about going to
class at the Alex Technical College. She wrote “Absolutely I’m going to class.
I feel PERFECT but have to struggle to stay awake.” Bethany Home in Alexandria
became Joan’s home in March of 2006.
Joan was
born on December 20, 1934, in Morris, Minnesota the daughter of Agnes (Sather)
and Peter I. Erdahl. Joan was baptized on December 29, 1934, by Rev. Sverre
Torgerson. Her Godparents were Aunt Mabel Sather and Uncle Richard Erdahl.
Joan’s Christian Education was at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church at Donnelly, MN
where she was confirmed by Rev. Alfred Sevig on August 28, 1949.
Joan’s
education was at District #42, at Alberta School, and she graduated from Morris
High School in 1953. Joan continued her education at Moorhead State College
completing her BS degree. Joan taught third grade in Elbow Lake Elementary
School from 1955-1958. In 1958, Joan taught at Whittier School in Austin,
Minnesota and finished her teaching career in the Alexandria Public Schools
teaching at Lincoln, Washington and Garfield Schools. Joan retired from
teaching in 1991.
Joan married
David Owen Fjoslien at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church on December 26, 1965 on her
parents wedding anniversary. They purchased the Fjoslien family farm at Brandon
that they operated until Dave’s death in December of 2004. Their home was then
donated to a family through Habitat for Humanity to a family in need.
Joan was
involved and gave generously to many organizations with her time and donations.
Joan was involved with various churches, fishing organizations, food shelves,
historical societies, local charities, musical organization, nursing homes, pet
programs, schools, teaching opportunities and other organizations of interest
to herself or those she knew.
Joan was
preceded in death by her husband, Dave; infant brother, James Howard, parents:
Agnes & Peter Erdahl.
Mrs.
Fjoslien is survived by her sister-in-law. Lucille Fjoslien of San Francisco,
CA; cousins: Russell (Eileen) Sather, Barbara (Bernie) Jahn, Carol Sather, Mick
(Trish) Sather, Jim Sather, Barry Sather, Bonnie (Don) Sevre, Dorothy (Mike)
Perry, Helen (John) Eidem, Betty Hilyard, Evelyn Rice, Bob Erdahl, Jean Gayle MacCallum,
Donna Isabelle (Tracy) Black, Jim (Basha) MacCallum, Leland (Elva) Erdahl, Lois
Mac McMillan and Bev Erdahl. Blessed be her memory.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015, 1:00 PM at Bethany Home Chapel in Alexandria. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
Memorial service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015, 1:00 PM at Bethany Home Chapel in Alexandria. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
