Arland E. Olerud

September 5, 1944 ~ January 20, 2025
Born in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
After a yearlong battle with Autoimmune Encephalopathy complicated by a recent bout with Influenza A, Arland E. Olerud went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, January 20th, 2025. He was born to Chester and Adeline Olerud on September 5, 1944, in Fargo, ND.
Arland grew up in Kindred, ND, and graduated from Kindred High School in 1962. After graduation, he worked at Kindred State Bank before attending college at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND, where he studied Data Processing. Following his graduation, he worked at First National Bank in Wahpeton.
Along with partners Bernard Haugen and Ed Shorma, Arland opened several businesses, including The Shoe Tree, The Hangin’ Tree, and the Country Cobbler shoe and western stores in Wahpeton, with additional locations in Gwinner, Lisbon, and Jamestown.
Arland became an agent for Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance and opened an office in Wahpeton serving Richland County. He was often invited by customers for coffee and a slice of pie and participated in daily mid-morning coffee “meetings” at Clem’s Café in Wahpeton with fellow businessmen.
Arland continued to work for Lutheran Brotherhood when he moved to Fargo in 1995, as a general manager, training agents across the territory, before joining Lutheran Social Services, and eventually Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance as an agent, from which he retired in 2024.
In 1965, Arland married Mary Beth Richards, and together they raised three children: Mark, Sarah, and Greta. While raising his family in Wahpeton, Arland was very active in the community, serving on the boards and as president of organizations such as the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Wahpeton Downtown Development, NDSCS Alumni/Foundation and Bethel Lutheran Church among others.
In 2000, Arland married Susan Kay (Kyllander) Mjelde, becoming stepfather to Nicole (Mjelde) Rivera and Eric Mjelde. While in Fargo, Arland continued his community service, remaining active in Rotary, Faith Lutheran Church several other associations in the communities where he lived.
Arland is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Thorvold Andvik; and his brother-in-law, Ronald (Janice) Judisch.
He is survived by his wife, Sue; his children, Mark (Michele) Olerud, Sarah Kirchmann, and Greta (Bret) Roberts; his stepchildren, who called him Dad, Nicole Rivera (Roger Broden), and Eric (Jessica) Mjelde; and his grandchildren, Eric (Emily Palmieri), Daniel and Matthew Olerud, Addison and Sammy Kirchmann, Jack and Charley Roberts; as well as step-grandchildren, Jadyn Rivera (Noah Klinkhammer), Kyllan, Lydia, and Emmitt Mjelde and great-grandchildren Penelope and Layton Klinkhammer. He is also survived by his siblings, Curtis (Kathy) Olerud, Janice Judisch, Linda (Larry) Bosse, and several nieces and nephews.
Arland enjoyed talking with people, spending time at the lake cabin, and spending his winters with friends in Bradenton, FL. His smile and laughter brought joy and lit up the room. To quote Arland on his outlook on life – “I hope to be remembered as a friend to all who knew me”.
Visitation and services will be held at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND, on Sunday, February 16th. Visitation will begin at 1pm with the service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Red River Valley or to the charity of your choice.
Services
Celebration of Life - Sunday: February 16, 2025 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation - Sunday: February 16, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Sue and family, so sorry to read of Arland’s passing. I enjoyed our time together in the LB/Thrivent office, and I know he will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss of Arland. He was one of the most enjoyable people I’ve ever met! We’d sometimes call him Oh-lee Arlerud and he’d just smile that big grin of his and soak in the humor. It was always a pleasure to visit with him. He was a hardworking businessman and member of many civic groups. We will miss this kind human for sure. Be at Peace now, God Bless.
Janice, sorry to hear about your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Arland will always be remembered as one of 2 guys that came over by us when we attended our First coffee hour at Westwinds. He smile will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and all of the family. He has been and will be missed by all who knew him at Westwinds in Florida.
Our sympathy to Arland’s family – we enjoyed visiting with him at the Lake. Lots of fun stories!!
Sandy Woodward
Sending much sympathy from West Silent Lake neighbors Rick and Virginia Johnson
Pete, Karen, Brianna and family.
Arland was a true friend. He became my “LB Guy” when I moved to Wahpeton & later convinced me to come work with him in his office. Thirty one years later, I’m still in the financial services industry so he must have taught me a few good things. In all seriousness, he was a great teacher & mentor & someone I looked up to. I owe him a lot for having the faith & confidence in me to bring me into his business.
He will be missed by many, but I choose to look back & cherish all the great memories & fun times we had together.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Brad & Paula Bakken
Love Ron and Kim Weatherhead xoxo