Evelyn Jeannette Arneson Blegen Langland

Evelyn Jeannette Arneson Blegen Langland, age 105, of Mabel, Minn., formerly of Spring Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully into her Lord’s arms on August 12, 2022, at Franciscan Skemp hospital in La Crosse, Wis.

Evelyn was born on September 21, 1916, at home in Winneshiek County to Theodore and Ella (Forde) Arneson. She was the second of four children. She lived in the Decorah, Iowa, and Spring Grove, Minn., areas throughout her life except for living in Ryder, N. Dak., from ages 3-13 and for the last three years at The Meadows of Mabel, Minn., where she had wonderful caregivers that loved her.

Evelyn married Leonard Blegen at the age of 17 and was widowed at the age of 37. She and Leonard had two children, Larry Blegen and Linda Blegen Fuhs. She later married Maurice (Mike) Langland in 1956. They had one child together, Michelle (Langland) Gulbranson. Mike preceded her in death at the age of 77 in 1990. She was a great horsewoman in her younger years and could harness and drive the horses to help with the field work and just loved to ride! Evelyn had the wonderful gift of playing piano “by ear” and played up into her last year of life. What a joy it was to hear her play! She blessed the congregation at Highland Church for 15 years as their organist.

Evelyn enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning but her passion was taking care of her beautiful flower gardens. She also became well known as the Lefse Lady, selling to individuals and stores in both Decorah and Spring Grove starting in 1964. Her last batch of lefse was made at the age of 100.

Her family will remember Evelyn for her wonderful wit and great sense of humor! Her steadfast love of the Lord was evident in all that she did and how she approached all those she met. She was a gentle soul with a fierce determination.

Survivors include her three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Larry (Solveig) Blegen of Eitzen, Minn.; Lin Fuhs and special friend Neal Telford of Spring Grove, Minn., and her children Christopher (Katie) Hill and their child Joshua of Lakeville, Minn., Nicole Rex of Arvada, Colo., and David (Theresa) Fuhs and their children Nolan and Nora of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; Michelle (Paul) Gulbranson of Spring Grove, Minn., and their children Amy Gulbranson and Jason Hall and their daughter Josephine of Ham Lake, Minn., Zac Gulbranson of Miami, Fla. and Laura Gulbranson of Chandler, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouses, and her siblings Magdalene (Arneson) Rupe, Emmett Arneson and Robert Arneson.

Memorials can be in her honor to the family or an organization of your choice.

Celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 12 p.m. at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Lane Zaffke Officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to time of service at the church.

Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.