Luella ‘Lou’ Spelhaug

Luella "Lou" Spelhaug, 87, Minot, formerly of Lansford, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at ManorCare Health Services in Minot.

Luella was born April 13, 1922, in Sioux County, Iowa, to Melvin and Clara (Loe) Anderson. She attended country school there. She was employed in restaurants, a bakery and produce house in South Dakota before going to California. There she was employed in restaurants in Berkeley and Oakland before going to work in the shipyards in Oakland as a pipe hanger, where she met Ray Spelhaug.

Luella married Ray Spelhaug on Jan. 29, 1943, in Reno, Nev. After their marriage, they moved to Wolseth to help on the family farm. They rented and later bought a farm in Lansford Township, Bottineau County, where they farmed until retiring in 1980. Ray passed away on Aug. 26, 1986. Following Ray's death Luella moved into Lansford, where she lived until 2004, when she moved into Brentmoor Assisted Living in Minot. She entered ManorCare Health Services in 2006, where she had since lived.

Luella was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansford. She was an active member of the Ladies Aid, a 4-H leader and was a member of the Lansford Country Club. She was also very active in the Lansford Bowling Association.

Luella was happiest surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Even in her last few years, bringing a grandbaby for her to hold would bring a smile to her face. She also enjoyed her flower beds, gardening and baking. One of Luella and Ray's favorite activities was bowling.

Those who shared in her life: son, Kenneth (Patty) Spelhaug, Lansford; daughters, Diana (Bob) Helming, Lansford, Betty (Larry) Leitzke, Minot; son-in-law, Jim McKeating, Pittsburgh; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Selma Hanson and Sylvia Spelhaug, both of Canton, S.D., Doris Krenos and Delores Gwinn, both of Yankton, S.D., and Nila Krenos, Marinette, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray; daughter, Audrey McKeating; sister, Lorraine Rice; brothers, Palmer, Clarence, Sidney, Merle and Melvin Anderson.

Funeral: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at 11 a.m., in Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansford.

Visitation: Today, Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial: Saturday at 2 p.m. in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Luella may access the online obituaries at (www.thompsonlarson.com).