Ella Mae Karlstad

   Ella Mae Karlstad, 96, of Mayville ND died Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.

   Ella Mae was born May 3, 1923 to Henry and Mary (Fisher) Whitehead near Fordville, ND. She attended grade school in Elkmount Township #33, first 2 years of high school at Fordville and then transferred to Park River where she graduated in 1940. In 1942 she received a 2 year teaching certificate at Mayville State Normal School (now Mayville State University) in Mayville. She taught a short time near Northwood.

   Mae married Lief Karlstad on June 6, 1944 in Hallock MN. Except for the 2 years he was in service during WWII, they have lived near Portland and moved to Mayville in 1960.

   Over the years Mae was a teacher, a full-time wife and Mom and worked in a flower shop and a gift shop. Mae loved playing Scrabble, Yahtzee, Bingo, card games, cheering on the MN Twins, her phone visits with Bert Blyleven, crocheting, fishing, dancing, word find puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, supporting her grandkids in their activities and attending MSU events. She loved her travels to Bermuda, Norway and Germany.

   Mae was a 65 year Charter member of the VFW Auxiliary, member of Mayville Lutheran Church and served on the Sunshine Committee and other volunteer activities.

   Surviving are Mae’s 3 daughters: Geri Johnson (Ralph), Becky Gunderson (Steve), Lisa Rakowski (Jon Klabo); 6 grandchildren: Lee Johnson (Deb), Lori Johnson Krenik (Mike), Valerie Gunderson Hacker (Greg), Stephanie Gunderson, Rachel Rakowski Krueger (Jared) and Chad Rakowski;  9 great grandchildren: Jessica Brown (Gus), Kyle Johnson, Ashley Pelkey (Rob),  Haydin Hacker, Declan Hacker, Bodhi Krueger, Anja Krueger, Matthew Krenik and Alyssa Krenik; 7 great-great grandchildren: Gavin, Nolan and Leigha Brown, Peyton and Greyson Johnson and Aubrey and Carter Pelkey.

   Preceding Mae in death were her parents; husband: Lief; infant daughter: Beverly; brother and sister-in-law: John and Ann Whitehead; sister and brother-in-law: Marion and Randy Peterson; and son-in-law: Tony Rakowski.

Visitation:  Will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND.