Anna Mae Nodland, 95, of Oelwein, IA died on February21st at the Arlington Place Assisted Living home in Oelwein. Until moving into senior and assisted living a few years ago, Anna Mae spent her entire adult life on the Nodland family farm in Frost, MN.
Anna Mae was born in Rake, Iowa to Peder and Anna (Munson) Vaagen. She was baptized and confirmed at the Liberty Lutheran Church in Rake and graduated from Rake High School in 1945.
Anna Mae met the love of her life (Eugene) selling him an ice cream cone at the family business in Rake. On March 9th, they were married at the Liberty Lutheran Church and spent nearly the next 77 years together.
They lived and farmed in Frost MN on the Nodland family farm. Anna Mae loved being a farmer’s wife helping in any way possible, as well as being a mother to 3 children. They always had a big garden with fruits, vegetables and apple trees which they graciously shared with family and friends.
Anna Mae was very active in her spiritual life at Bethany Lutheran Church (rural Frost). She was a choir member, pianist, sang in the Bethany vocal trio, and participated in the various Ladies groups. One of the highlights was the fall bazaar where money was raised for missions. She made a variety of Norwegian foods as well as quilts to be sold to support great causes.
Retirement was filled with world travel (Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, China) as well as spending quality time with their children and grandchildren. She deeply loved her family.
After they retired, they continued living on the farm until 2018 when they moved to senior living in Blue Earth, MN. In April 2022 they moved to Arlington Place (Oelwein) to be closer to their daughter, Twyla.
Anna Mae is survived by her husband, Eugene, daughter Twyla (Larsen) of Oelwein IA, and son Jeff (Becky) of The Woodlands, TX, grandchildren Chrissy (Mike) Spear of Davenport, IA, Erik (Ashwini) of Frisco, TX and Emily (Kyle) Vanderloop of Oregon, WI. Step-grandchildren Samantha Spear of Waterloo, IA, and Clay (Ali) Spear of Beaman, IA. Great- grandchildren Hans and Maren Nodland, Lucy and Isla Vanderloop and step-great- grandson, Leo Spear. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Tom, son-in-law, Larry Larsen, great granddaughter, Jessica Spear and 7 siblings: Gertrude Russ, Paul Vaagen, Martin Vaagen, Oscar Vaagen, Otis Vaagen, Ada Leland, and Edna Chidester.
Celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 22, at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Frost, MN at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will be served following the service and burial at Bethany.
The Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral omdHome in Oelwein, IA is assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
The family would like to thank the Arlington Place Assisted Living staff and the St. Croix Hospice staff for their loving care.
