Wanda Brottlund
March 20, 1940 ~ December 11, 2020
Wanda's Live Streamed Graveside can be viewed below:
Wanda Lee (Langford) Brottlund 80, died December 11, 2020 in Fargo, ND. She was born March 20, 1940 to Omar and Norma (Cecil) Langford in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Center High School in Kansas City, MO. She married Arthur Brottlund on Dec 21, 1957. They lived in Kansas City until 1970 when they moved to Hudson, Wisconsin. In 1971 they moved to Fargo. She started volunteer work with the Minn-Kota chapter of the Red Cross in 1972. She graduated from NDSU School of Nursing in 1979. She worked as an RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Luke’s Hospital in Fargo from 1979 to 1989. In 1989 they moved to China to work as missionaries teaching English at several universities. In 1991 they moved back to Fargo and began working full time Disaster Services for the Red Cross. She worked as a Red Cross Disaster Nurse until she retired in 2005.
Wanda is survived by her five children: Scott (Jolene) Brottlund of Fargo, ND, Brian (Tracy) Brottlund of Colorado Springs, CO, Russell (Melissa) Brottlund of West Fargo, ND, Brenda (Ben) Sweetapple of Evatt, ACT Australia, Linda (Bob) Boll of Mound, MN, eighteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Art, her parents Norma and Omar, stepfather Ralph Stine, brothers Leonard and Richard Langford and sister Gayle Strader.
Even from an early age, Wanda was committed to serving her Savior in missions and that serving heart was with her throughout her life. It motivated her through the challenges of nursing training as an adult, into the medical field as a nurse and then later as disaster nurse for the American Red Cross. She and her husband Art took their service to China, teaching English and loving students in universities there. Even after Art’s death and her retirement, Wanda continued to help people with transportation, medical appointments, everyday challenges, and simple friendship. She was always quick to recognize the needs of those often overlooked by others. Her serving heart was truly a blessing to hundreds.
A small graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo at 2pm Friday December 18th. If you attend, please wear a mask, and social distance. We plan to have a full Celebration of Wanda’s Life when we can gather safely again and enjoy each other’s love and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, please send to International Mission Board through Temple Baptist of Fargo.
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I met Wanda upon the surrender of R2 to our shelter and enjoyed my visits with and getting to know her. My condolences and deepest sympathy to the entire Brottlund family on her passing.
I met Wanda in 1984 when we moved to Fargo at Temple Baptist Church. I really got to know her well when we were taking English as Second Language classes at the church and also singing in the choir. It didn’t take long for her to become a great friend. I csn still see that great big smile on her face. I know she is with her beloved Art. Love you Miss Wanda and look forward to your great smile and warm hug when Jesus calls me home.
I can still hear Wanda singing out praises to the Lord, loud and proud, and what a heavenly hymn she must be raising now. I think of Wanda a lot, remembering how she was always ready to rush into disasters to help. And she did it so selflessly and with such compassion and joy. What a beautiful example of service to God and others. I am so thankful to have known her, and I am so thankful I’ll hear her singing again some day. Brottlund family, I am holding you in my heart and prayers.
I am so sorry! 😔. I think the last time I saw Art and Wanda was when they gave me a ride back to Indep., Mo when I was 15, from the Lake Superior Bible Camp…..and I had spent a month in No Mn and Ironwood, Mi with my grandparents. Losing a mother is hard. Bless you all, my cousins.
Thank you for your service to our nation in the most important fashion. Love you Auntie and we will see you again. I’m positive. Pammie and Gale.
today so sad to heard this sad news. i met Wanda and her husband Art in Beijing.China in 1989 until.1991. at that time i was a student. she is very nice Christian. i remember on the weekends or vacation i with them to explored Beijing a lots detail part of this city. even right now my heard stil not calm to recall them. i think later i will be writing more about. so depression to heard about her today. just pray for Wanda be peaceful in the Heaven ! Amen
We are so sorry to hear about Wanda’s passing. We met Art & Wanda when we pastored in Grand Forks from 1986-1995 so before and after their ministry in China.