Virgil Bud Hjelle, 83, died on Monday, November 2, 2009 at Meritcare Northwest Medical Center Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 2 PM, Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Bruce Fischer officiating. Burial will follow in the Viking Cemetery, Viking, MN.

Visitation will be held 5-7 PM, Friday, November 6, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church.

Virgil Junior Hjelle was born on December 30, 1925 in Newfolden, MN to Oscar Emil and Selma M. (Strand) Hjelle. He was baptized in Newfolden in 1926 and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden in September of 1939. He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior when he attended a tent meeting in Newfolden as a teenager. He was educated at the Wildwood grade school and the Newfolden High School, where he obtained his GED. He worked on the family farm by Newfolden. After the family moved to Viking, MN, he worked at and managed the Viking Co-op Store.

Virgil was united in marriage to Marville Flodstrom on August 14, 1948. To this union were born two precious sons, Clark and Steve. Virgil worked at Smeby Hardware and Propane Delivery in Newfolden and after moving to Thief River Falls he was employed by the JC Penney Store until he was drafted in November of 1952. Virgil served his country in the Air Force and served four years during the Korean Conflict. He was first stationed at Shepherd Air Force Base in Texas. Then he was transferred overseas to Japan with orders to Korea. He remembers leaving the shores of the United States with the band playing ViVaLa Victory as the Aircraft Carrier Cape Esperance crossed under the Golden Gate Bridge. The ship required repair, so he and the 470 recruits heading to Japan and had to stop at Honolulu, HI. The soldiers were free to roam and tour the wrecked Arizona Battle Ship, which turned out to be the burial place of the 1400 crew manning the ship. In Japan, Virgil was involved in helping France supply parts to fight Asian battle fronts of Vietnam and Cambodia. Virgil recalled arriving back in the US and bending over to his hands and feet and kissing the ground at Travis Air Force Base. Virgil then returned to Shepherd Air Force Base in Texas, and was honorably discharged there on November 6, 1956.

Virgil worked for the US Postal Service for 31 years, serving as postmaster in Viking and then transferred to the rural route, which later included a route in Thief River Falls. He retired in November of 1988.

Virgil was an active member of the Viking Covenant Church, where he served as Chairman, and held many other offices. He was also Sunday School Superintendant and teacher for many years. He and his wife Marville, are also remembered for their ministry in music. They have been seen singing duets with Marville accompanying them on her guitar, all over Northwestern Minnesota in many churches and town celebrations. Virgil was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marville, Thief River Falls, MN, 2 sons: Clark and (Sherry) Hjelle, Gonvick, MN, and Pastor Steve (Debbi) Hjelle, Des Plaines, IL, 3 grandchildren, Troy (Melissa) Hjelle, Viking, MN, Amanda (Dominic) Broda, St. Bonifacius, MN, Ryan Hjelle, Duluth, MN, 1 great grandchild Spencer Thor Hjelle, 2 sisters: Vernace Stokke, Ardelle Hjelle, both of Thief River Falls, 1 brother in law, Douglas (Florence) Flodstrom, Clearbrook, MN, nieces and nephews, Marlys Olson, Colleen Kayser, Kim Novak, Byron Stokke, Chuck Flodstrom, Kelly Flodstrom, Julie Peterson, Renee Hutchins, Lori Drake, many great nieces and nephews.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Maxine Prickett, Amy, Mae, and June Hjelle, brothers Orville and Roger Hjelle, father and mother in law Paul and Lillie Flodstrom.


ORGANIST: Jan Lee
SPECIAL MUSIC: Marlys Olson I Want To See My Savior First of All
SPECIAL MUSIC: Dominic Broda
SPECIAL MUSIC: Pastor Steve Hjelle Sheltered In The Arms of God
SPECIAL MUSIC: Clark Hjelle & Ryan Hjelle
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Victory In Jesus & He The Pearly Gates Will Open
CASKETBEARERS: Troy Hjelle, Ryan Hjelle, James Hjelle, Hilton Hjelle, Richard Ness, Larry Bjorsness
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 & Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #2793