Belle Rolandson, 87, died Sunday, April 23, 2006, at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, April 28, 2006, at St. Pauli Lutheran Church South of Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Terri Cuppett officiating. Burial will be at Clearwater Cemetery North of Oklee, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Thursday, April 27, 2006, at Johnson Funeral Home, Thief River Falls, MN, with a 7:00 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Belle A. Rolandson was born August 15, 1918, at Deer Park Township, rural Oklee, MN, the daughter of Gunder and Bergit (Qually) Anderson. She was baptized at Oak Park Lutheran Church, confirmed at Telemarken Lutheran Church and attended country school.

On November 6, 1937, Belle was united in marriage to Orville Rolandson. The couple farmed on the family farm at Roland, MN, and operated the Carmel Cash Store. In 1947, they moved to Smiley Township to farm and also to raise cattle, horses, sheep and turkeys. They continued to live on the farm until 1997, when they moved into Thief River Falls. She had a special knack for sick and injured animals.

She was a member of St. Pauli Lutheran Church where she served in Sara Circle. Belle enjoyed gardening and African Violets. Belle always had the coffee pot on and the door was always open for visitors. Orville and Belle were foster parents to approximately 30 foster children. In 1987, Belle was chosen as Pennington County Foster Mother of the Year.

Survivors include four children, Beverly (Roland) Larson of Bloomington, MN, Gary (Mary Ann) Rolandson of Rosemount, MN, Dolores (John) Andersen of Grand Marais, MN and O. Kenneth (Lynn) Rolandson of East Grand Forks, MN; 13 grandchildren, Amy (Jon) Coffey, Ann (Curt) Benson, Carl (Kelly) Larson, Mark Rolandson, Chad (Holly) Rolandson, Angie (fianc Trevor) Rolandson, LeAnn (Jim) Zunker, Linda (Ryan) Grivette, Stephanie (Shane) DuPaul, Stacey (Bill) Larson, Sara (Russ) Green, Shari Rolandson, Susan (Fiance Brad) Rolandson; 14 great grandchildren, Luke Benson, Logan Benson, Austin Rolandson, Brandon Rolandson, Dylan Rolandson, Alison Zunker, Jordan Zunker, Josie Freeberg, Jaydon Grivette, Dane DuPaul, Seth DuPaul, Jill DuPaul, Lauryn Larson, Zachary Larson; and many relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by husband, Orville, her parents; 12 brothers and sisters; and one grandchild.

ORGANIST: Faye Auchenpaugh
SOLOIST: Rev. Terri Cuppett with guitar " Amazing Grace
SPECIAL MUSIC: John Andersen " The Lords Prayer
SPECIAL MUSIC: Ann Benson " How Great Thou Art
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: The Old Rugged Cross (insert) and In The Garden (insert)
CASKETBEARERS: Gene Olson, Gary Anderson, Larry Anderson, Dennis McCullough, Doug Olson, Gary Roisland.
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Harland Mostrom, Merle Mostrom, Mervin Prestebak, Wallace Torkelson, Chuck Seeger, Jim Furenstein, Dale Glass, all friends at St. Pauli Church and the staff of Valley Home.