Myrtle Langerud

Myrtle Langerud was born February 1, 1925 Harwood North Dakota. Her mother was Jenny Stensland, father, Emil Ingebretson, and brother, Eldon Ingebretson who died at war. Her step dad was Cap Stensland and Myrtle has a half-sister, Rachel Rustad who lives in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Myrtle lived on a farm next to the Red River in North Dakota until she was five, and then moved to Hawley, Minnesota. Myrtle went to school in Hawley District 44 first through eighth grade where she graduated, then on to High School in Hawley where she graduated in 1942. When Myrtle graduated from high School she moved to Fargo and worked as a clerk in a packing plant. To earn extra money in summer months Selmer Langerud hired her and Rosie Dauner to pick potatoes. Selmer had his eyes on Myrtle ever since. In 1944, from Torrance, California where Selmer moved for work. On Valentine's Day, Selmer Langerud sent an engagement ring to Myrtle. The answer must have been yes, as on August 28, 1945 Selmer and Myrtle married at Lysne Lutheran church. Rachael Rustad, Harriet Helland, Burton Langerud, and Diane and Duane Brocatie, (flower girl and ring bearer) were in the wedding. After the wedding, Myrtle moved to California with Selmer where Selmer purchased their first home in Torrance, California. On September 9, 1946 Sharon Langerud was born. Sharon and her husband Steve Stanley live in Auburn, California. On August 28, 1953 Becky Langerud was born who lives in Lancaster, California with her husband Bob Drury. Selmer and Myrtle belonged to the First Lutheran Church where Myrtle ran the Sunday school department for 30 years and Selmer was head usher for 30 years. Myrtle worked in the church office putting together the church bulletin for every Sunday. For 10 years Myrtle and Selmer organized a Missionary to Many Farms Indian Reservation in Arizona to teach vacation bible school. Myrtle organized all activities, planned all the meals (and cooked for the whole group) and all materials for teaching. Through Myrtles Circle at the First Lutheran Church in Torrance, she was in charge of the activities at the nursing home in Torrance. Once a week they would bring activities, play bingo, and bring cake for the birthdays. In Ulen Myrtle belonged to the Mary bible study, Ladies Circle, and was a past member of the VFW Auxiliary. At the Viking Manor Myrtle and Selmer volunteered to help with bingo and other activities including helping take Viking Manor residents to Moorhead to shop. Myrtle and Selmer also belonged to the Sons of Norway in San Pedro, California. Myrtle, Selmer, and a few others, did all the cooking for the parties at the lodge which were usually about 200 people, helped with fund raisers, and organized entertainment. Myrtle also took Norwegian classes to try to learn the language and did quite well. Myrtle has spent most of her life volunteering in church, schools, nursing homes, and Sons of Norway. In Sharon and Becky’s grade school she was very involved with fund raisers, PTA (where she was awarded highest honor of Presidents award), and also worked in the office and helped with yard duty. Myrtle has always enjoyed cooking and entertaining. That was her hobby!!! Never a worry about how many people she needed to prepare for. There was always plenty of food of all sorts. Christmas always was a fun time at the Langeruds. Mom always went all out. She loved to decorate at Christmas and every Christmas Eve mom would cook a traditional Swedish dinner. The table was set Swedish style and severed Swedish meat balls, lefse, lutefisk, fattigmand, and all the other trimmings. Very good memories!! When Selmer retired from the tractor business in California, they bought a farm on Hwy 32 near Ulen, Minnesota where they would spend the summer months and the winter months in California. In 2003 they sold their home in Torrance and purchased a home in Lancaster, California. Up until 2003 they were still driving back and forth from California to Minnesota. After 60 years of marriage Selmer Langerud passed away Feb 15, 2005. Selmer and Myrtle both told their daughters Becky and Sharon, if the time came for them to be in a home, that they wanted to be in the Viking Manor in Ulen. Myrtle remained in the Viking Manor until she passed away October 25, 2012. Myrtle is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Steve) Stanley and Becky (Bob) Drury; four grandchildren, Tony Stanley, Stacy Stanley (Veth), Ryan Drury and Rachelle Drury (Wouters); 11 great-grandchildren, Tony and Stacy Stanley have three boys, Jason, Mark, and David; Stacy Stanley (Veth) and John have two girls and two boys, Alleen, Carlie, J. J. and Gabriel; Ryan and April Drury have two daughters, Maddie and Holly; Rachelle Drury(Wouters) has a boy and girl, Chanelle and Preston and a half-sister, Rachel Rustad of Howard Lake, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. A Time of Gathering was one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Officiating was Pastor Steve Dahl with Carol Lockhart serving as organist and Susan Green serving as pianist. Vocalists were Cliff Langerud and Barbara Morken. Pallbearers were Steve Stanley, Bon Drury, Cliff Langerud, Brian Langerud, Eric Nelson and Roger Larsen. Interment was in North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen.

Myrtle Langerud

February 1, 1925 - October 25, 2012