Dena Lappegaard, 93, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Sunday, November 21, 2004, at the Valley Elder Care Nursing Home in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 24, 2004, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Wollenzien officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, November 23, 2004, at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Dena Alatha Simonson was born on October 4, 1911, to Lewis and Lena (Gabrielson) Simonson at McGrath, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in Holten Lutheran Church, McGrath, MN. She attended country school.

Dena was united in marriage to Otto Lappegaard on February 10, 1932, in Thief River Falls, MN. The couple lived their entire life in Thief River Falls where they raised ten children.

Dena loved visiting with her family and friends and especially spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed quilting, gardening, embroidery, and reading.

Dena is survived by ten children: Darlene Arlington, St. Paul, MN; Laurel (Lavonne), St. Paul, MN; Lavonne (George) Lee, Hutchinson, MN; Beverly (Bill) Ketzner, St. Paul, MN; Barbara (Conrad) McDougall, Minneapolis, MN; Roger (Sharon), Angus, MN; Lorna (Dennis) Gunderson, Grand Forks, ND; Rick, Anchorage, AK; Terry (Gwen), Grand Forks, ND; and Steven (Judy), Thief River Falls, MN; 39 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren, five brothers and sisters: Melvin (Laura) Simonson, Emerald, WI; Silas Simonson, Orange, CA; Howard (Jean) Simonson, Cedar Rapids, IA; Chester (Evelyn) Simonson, Columbus, IN; Ethel Rose, Fullerton, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto, on June 13, 2000; parents, one grandson, one son-in-law, seven brothers and sisters: Arthur, Bertha, Axel, Lillian, Leon, Elmer, Leroy.


ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SPECIAL MUSIC: Lois Peterson & Lois Anderson
SELECTIONS: Green, Green Grass of Home, The Lords Prayer, Precious Memories
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross
PALLBEARERS: Laurel Lappegaard, Roger Lappegaard, Rick Lappegaard, Terry Lappegaard, Steven Lappegaard, Dennis Gunderson, George Lee, Bill Ketzner, Conrad McDougall
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Denas 39 grandchildren