Grace C. Hovelsrud

Grace C. Hovelsrud, age 92, of Hawley, MN passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo.

Grace Caroline Ramstad was born on September 18, 1928 in Cromwell Township, rural Hawley, to Bendie and Gida (Austad) Ramstad. Grace attended school in Hawley and graduated with the class of 1946. She furthered her education at a business college in Detroit Lakes, MN, and went on to work for Fargo Bakery for a short period. She then began working for Great Northern Railroad as an IBM billing clerk for 3.5 years. Grace married Melvin Hovelsrud on November 18, 1950 and they started a family. She worked side by side with Melvin on the farm and cared for their family of four children. Melvin passed away on August 15, 1981. Grace remained on the family farm for the next 30 years until moving into Hawley. Grace continued to raise her children and kept busy with sewing, knitting, crochet projects and making crafts for craft shows. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and especially playing games with her grandkids. Her rommegrot, krumkake and rosettes were all family favorite! Her other enjoyments included crossword puzzles, taking pontoon rides, having coffee at the Whistle Stop with friends, and making trips to Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat. The yardwork on the farm was a passion of hers which she fulfilled until her early eighties.

Grace made an impact on many lives with her volunteer work with Volksmarch and providing rides for people from the Rollag area to various appointments. She was also very involved with Park Lutheran Church where she served as Treasurer for 22 years and Ladies Aid President for 11 years. She was a Lifetime Member and volunteer with Steamer Hill in Rollag. Grace was very caring, humble and was at peace with the life she lived. She always made the time to send cards out to friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Grace is survived by her children, Deanna (Dewey) Hogenson, Karen (Bernie) Barnett, and Duane (Kristi) Hovelsrud; 10 grandchildren, Christopher (Amber) Sander, Jessica Sander, Michael (Katie Johnson) Sander, Laura (Josh) Pederson, Nicole Hogenson, Matthew Barnett, Kelsey (Jeremy) Miller, Kara, Tori, and Jake Hovelsrud; 9 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Jim Sander; brother, Grant (Peggy) Ramstad; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; daughter, Shirley Sander; granddaughter, Emma Hovelsrud; 2 great-granddaughters; brother, Bruce Ramstad; sister, Beverly Sander; and all of Melvin’s siblings and their spouses.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service starting at 7:00, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 6, at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation starting at 10:00, at Park Lutheran Church, rural Hawley. A live stream of the service will be available here on Grace’s page.  Burial will take place at Park Lutheran Cemetery.  Memorial are preferred to the Park Lutheran Cemetery Fund.