In memoriam of Ilene Kjelland, 12/31/1928 – 09/06/2018

View the online memorial here.

Ilene Julia Kjelland was born December 31, 1928 in Valley City, ND to Walter and Neva (Dahl) Zaun.

She grew up on a farm near Rogers, ND and dearly loved working with her dad doing chores and field work.

Ilene, along with the other Zaun clan, spent time at Gramma Annie (Fiske) and Grandpa Arnold Zaun’s farm.

Oh, what fun it was, playing with all those cousins!

She also spent time with her Grampa Invald and Gramma Julia Dahl who lived in Jamestown, ND.

On June 15, 1947, she married Selmer “Sam” Kjelland.

Sam was the son of Lewis and Gina (Borg) Kjelland.

Their first child, Martee, was born the following year.

Ilene’s father died of cancer when Martee was less than a year old. That was a devastating time in her life. Their second child, Michael was born two years later.

Sam and Ilene bought a little house on Riverview Drive in 1951.

They both worked at Lutheran Hospital and Homes (now the Sheyenne Care Center). Ilene worked as a physical therapist aide and nurse’s aide for nineteen years.

She then watched the small children of many families for several years.

They were members of Nebo Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, taught preschool Sunday School and other positions. Her children were baptized, confirmed, and married in that church.

She and Sam joined Grace Free when Nebo merged with First Lutheran.

Her daughter married Joseph J. Lunde.

They had four children:

Christopher, Leah, Todd and Evan James.

Her son married Janelle “Jan” Komrosky.

They had three children:

Michael Edward, Chad, and Andrea.

Ilene and Sam spent many happy times with all their grandchildren.

Ilene was always a care-giving person.

She took care of Sam until Alzheimer’s took his ability to walk.

There was always a cup of hot coffee and a treat for anyone and everyone who stopped by. She was a great cook, baker and immaculate housekeeper.

She was a very independent woman.

She sold her home she had lived in for 60 years and moved to Bridgeview in 2012.

She made many friendships there, particularly with staff.

She loved every one of them!!

They took very good care of her.

She was independent to the very end of her earthly stay.

Ilene is now in her eternal home with loved ones she longed to see.

She passed away at her home on September 2, 2018.

Ilene is survived by her daughter, Martee (Joe) Lunde; son, Mike (Jan) Kjelland; grandchildren, Christopher (Annette) Lunde, Leah Radke, Todd Lunde, Michael E. (Aly) Kjelland, Chad (Tiffany) Kjelland, Andrea “Annie” (Adam) Johnson; greatgrandchildren, Jessica, Michael, Adam, Frida, Jacee, Jadyn, Alexa, Jayden, Skyler, Samuel, Olivia, Levi, and Ella Jo; and her sister, Marilyn Kerbaugh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Ed Maresh; husband, Sam; and grandson, Evan James.

God bless her memory.

The memorial service for Ilene Kjelland, 89, Valley City, ND will be at Grace Free Lutheran Church, Valley City on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 2:30 PM.

Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service.

The Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home in assisting Ilene’s family with arrangements.

An online guestbook is available at lerudschuldt.com

Visit LERUD-SCHULDT-MATHIAS FUNERAL HOME