Cora Klesalek

Parshall

Cora Klesalek, 96, formerly of Parshall, died June 26, 2025, at Miller Pointe Nursing Home in Mandan, ND. Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Parshall, ND, with burial to follow at Parshall Cemetery.

Cora was born on the family farm South of Van Hook to Rasmus and Johanne (Bodal) Loen on July 9, 1928. She graduated from Van Hook High School in 1946 and NDSSS in 1947. Cora worked as a secretary in Grand Forks and Minot before marrying James Klesalek of Parshall on February 27, 1953, at the Bethel Lutheran parsonage in New Town. They lived and farmed in Fertile Township for 58 of their 62 years of marriage. James and Cora spent 27 winters in Mesa, Arizona. In 2011, they moved to Edgewood Vista in Bismarck. Bud passed away in 2015, and in 2021, Cora moved to Miller Pointe in Mandan.

Cora was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and taught the CNA staff several Norwegian phrases. They even started calling her “vesle Cora” (little Cora), just like her dad did. She enjoyed baking Norwegian goodies during the Christmas season; lutefisk and lefse were a Christmas Eve tradition. Cora loved farm life, especially feeding the kitties, sewing, and tending both her flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed dancing and golfing with her husband, as well as camping and fishing with her family. Cora was a member of First Lutheran Church, served on the Parshall Cemetery Board for many years, and was active in the Happy Homemakers Club. She had a happy outlook on life, there was always a smile for anyone who walked through her door.

Cora is survived by her three daughters, Jan (Greg) Boschee, Parshall, ND; Kelly (Kelvin) Williams, Bismarck, ND; Kay (Richard) Ramsbacher, Strafford, MO; five grandchildren, Joshua (Tiffiny) Boschee, Tracy (Cameron) Tomjack, Jonathan (Stephanie) Williams, Jordan (Amanda) Williams, Katy (Cody) Parker; eleven great-grandchildren, Grant, Ethan, Reid, Anna, Micah, Erin, Truitt, Lynn, Becks, Ella and Freya.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; daughter, Becky; sister, Inga Littlefield; brothers, Olaf, Sverre, and Roland Loen.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Parshall Cemetery Association or the Parshall Ambulance.

(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 30, 2025.