Elsie C. (Juhnke) Vinje

Vinje, Elsie C. (Juhnke) Age 92, of Apple Valley, MN, formerly of Mayville, ND, Forest Lake, MN, and Hutchinson, MN. Born in Fergus Falls, MN on May 28, 1918, she graduated from Fergus Falls High School and in 1941 completed training as a Registered Nurse at Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Grand Forks, ND. First nursing position was at Union Hospital in Mayville, ND where she met and married Erling Vinje who farmed near Mayville. In a career that spanned several communities in two states and nearly fifty years, she was farm wife, mother, staff nurse at Union Hospital and Luther Memorial Home in Mayville; Director of Nurses at Forest Lake Memorial Hospital; and staff nurse at Litchfield, MN Hospital and Nursing Home and Maple Manor (Good Neighbor) Nursing Home in Bloomington. This "Florence Nightingale" loved her work, and was devoted to her patients, particularly elderly nursing home residents. Hers truly was a Lutheran vocation, a gift of service to others. Died September 18, 2010. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Erling Vinje, three brothers and two sisters. Survived by daughters Gail (Arlen) Johnson of Bismarck, ND and Darlene (George) Lansing of Eagan, MN, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Blessed be her memory. Memorial Services are scheduled for 2:30 PM Friday, September 24 at Heritage Lutheran Church, 13401 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley with a visitation 1 hour prior. Private inurnment will follow. Memorials preferred to Heritage Lutheran Church Pastor's Courtyard Fund. Henry W. Anderson, Apple Valley (952) 432-2331 obit.HenryWAnderson.com

Published on September 22, 2010