Martha E. Lindrud

Martha Lindrud, age 94 of Hills, MN died Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 3rd at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN, with Rev. Mahlon Bekedam officiating. Burial will follow at Flowerfield Cemetery at Hills. Visitation will be Friday, July 2nd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills. Martha E. Lindrud was born on March 13, 1916 to Norwegian immigrants, Ole and Ragna (Bakken) Vestlie. She was born on a farm near Hills and was a lifelong resident of Rock County. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school in Hills and rural country schools. On September 18, 1936, she married Melvin Lindrud. They shared their lives farming and raised two children, Marvin and Carole. After retiring from farming, Martha and Melvin moved from the farm to Hills in 1988. Melvin died one year later after nearly 53 years of marriage. Martha has resided at the Tuff Memorial Home since 2007. Martha was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and participated in Circle, BLCW, quilting, and taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Flowerfield Cemetery Association, Senior Citizens, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels in the Hills area, as well as at the Tuff Memorial Home. Martha will be remembered by family and friends for her culinary skills. She was especially known for her lefse, krumkake, and other Norwegian delicacies. Others will remember her for the beautiful quilts she made and generously shared with others. She was always proud of her heritage. Norwegian was her first language as a child and she continued to be proficient in speaking and translating the language for others. Martha was devoted to her family, friends and church. She had a loving and giving spirit and was strong in faith and caring for others. Martha is survived by her daughter, Carole Lonkey; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Ragna Vestlie; her husband, Melvin Lindrud; a son, Marvin Lindrud; son-in-law, Richard Lonkey; an infant brother, Orlando Vestlie; sister and brothers-in-law, Jennie and Arnold Nelson; and brother and sister-in-law, Ruben and Jennie Vestlie.