Oleen Kriel, 91, died on Monday, April 27, 2009 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, May 1, 2009 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow in Ekelund Cemetery, Highlanding Township, Pennington County, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8 on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

Oleen Charlotte Langerud Hanson was born on May 28, 1917 to John and Bessie Langerud in Newton Township, Winnebago County, Iowa. Her mother died shortly after her birth and Oleen was raised by her Uncle and Aunt Andrew and Ellen Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She grew up in Highlanding Township and attended country school. She then graduated from Goodridge High School.

On December 23, 1939, Oleen was united in marriage to Norman Kriel. They lived in Star Township for many years. She was a typical farm wife who raised her children and helped out on the family farm. She worked part time at Arctic Cat and at the Oklee Quilting in the early 1970s. Two years to the day of her death she left her farm and has resided at Greenleaf Assisted Living and the past month at Oakland Park Nursing Home.

She was a member of the Ekelund Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, Ekelund Quilting, and the Homemakers Club. She was a avid sewer. Her grandchildren remember her as a great cook who made excellent fish. She also baked some of the best bread in the world. She liked gardening vegetables, flowers, and berries. She canned tons of produce over the years. She and her husband Norman spent many summers at their cabin at Springsteel near Warroad, MN. She enjoyed fishing and liked teasing Norman when she out fished him.

Oleen is survived by one daughter Norma Moses, Rush City, MN, one son Roger Kriel, Goodridge, MN, 5 grandchildren: Lisa Verbout, Jeff (Trisha) Kriel, Tami Zak, Steven (Jenni) Kriel, Ryan (fiance Twila Kriel, 12 great grandchildren: Mathew Verbout, Gastin Kriel, Alisha Verbout, Dillion Kost, Gannon Kriel, SimoneMegan Verbout, Cari , Jake Wellington, Blaine Kriel, Mason Zak, Brooklyn Kriel, and Logan Kriel.

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman in 1999, parents, 2 brothers Maynard and Bill Langerud, 2 sisters Sadie and Isabelle Langerud.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

SPECIAL MUSIC: Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry, Softly and Tenderly
CASKETBEARERS: Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Dean Hanson, Dale Hanson, Ernest Langerud, Bob Kriel, Bruce Kriel