Ella Belling

Ella Belling, 90, Fargo, ND, passed away on November 3, 2023, at the Sanford Hospice House.

She was born on March 5, 1933, in Trondheim, Norway; daughter of Alfrida Otilie Vabenø and Johan Kristian Belling. Her father died in 1936 and her mother in 1938. Ella and her sister, Kjellrun, lived with their grandfather, Johan Belling, from June 1938-1942 in Rissa, Norway. In 1942, Aunt Beate and Uncle Erling Darell’s family moved to Rissa and raised the girls.

On March 5, 1950, Ella left Norway for her Uncle John C. and Aunt Olise Horsager’s farm by Litchville, ND. She worked in Valley City and Grand Forks where she met and married Burnett Myron Grove on July 9, 1952. They raised their children – Maxine, Janet, John, Oren, and Elizabeth – on the Grove farm east of Reynolds, ND.

Ella was very active as a member of: Rosendal Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid (Reynolds); Central Valley High School Music Boosters; and the Sons of Norway Gyda Varden Lodge. In addition, she was a 4-H leader and the President of ND Soil Conservation Auxiliary.

She worked at Brekke Travel, organizing and guiding tour groups both locally and in Norway.

Her interests included flower gardening, canning, making the best lefse and buns, and many traditional Norwegian cookies and cakes for the holidays. She also did Norwegian needlework pillow tops and wall hangings.

Ella lived in Bigfork, MT, for a short time before moving to Costa Rica for 20 years and then to Fargo, ND, in 2019, until her passing.

She is survived by four children: Maxine Beseler, West Fargo, ND; Janet (Richard) Sabol, Minot, ND; John (Vicki) Grove, Mesa, AZ; and Oren Grove, Fargo, ND, as well as grandchildren: Brian Beseler, Aaron (Tanya) Beseler, Erika (Joel) Beseler Thompson, Rachel (Joshua) Ring, Heather (Michael) Kalamaha, Scott (Sarah) Sabol, Jennifer (Greg) Huber, and Matthew (Shannon) Grove, along with 18 great grandchildren, three great-great grandsons, and nieces and nephews in Norway and the U.S.A.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter, Elizabeth Rachel; son-in-law, Walter W. Beseler; sister and brother-in-law Kjellrun and Torleif Eriksen; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Vie Grove, Viola and Arnold Torkelson, Clayton and Evelyn Grove, Florence and Donald Danielson, and grandson-in-law Matthew Sharp.

Ella would like to thank all those who gave thoughts and prayers in her time of need. Ella’s wish was that no service be held after her passing. As a family, we will be respecting her wishes.

Memorials may be given, in her name, to the Sanford Hospice House (820 4th St. N., Fargo, ND, 58103) or to another place of donor’s choosing.

Boulger Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements.