Nettie Lee entered her eternal home on Tuesday December 6, 2022. She was born on October 29, 1922 to Lars and Martha Bjelland at Tagus, North Dakota. Both of Nettie’s parents came to the Tagus area from Norway.

Nettie attended school in Tagus through the 11th grade then graduated from Minot High School in 1941. Nettie was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Tagus, ND and served as a member of the church’s ladies aid, holding many offices until the church closed.

She worked on her family farm until marrying Jesse Lee on April 5, 1946, shortly after his return from service in World War II. Nettie and Jesse moved to Jesse’s family farm and worked a farming and ranching operation on Jesse’s family homestead. Nettie enjoyed harvesting and hauling grain until their retirement from farming. They moved to Stanley in 1989, and at that time, they became members of Our Saviors Free Lutheran church in Stanley. In 2012 they moved to Elison Assisted Living in Minot, ND.

Nettie and Jesse had three daughters, Gloria (David) Reistad, Julene (Mike) Lahti, and Cindy (Todd) Brown. Nettie leaves behind four grandchildren, Tammy (Keith) Gardner, Katie (Brandon) Turnbow, Sarah (Doug) Steltzer, and Jedd Brown; six great-grandchildren, Erin (Todd) Bustad, Ty (Alyssa) Gardner, Kaydn Turnbow, Nehemiah Turnbow, Rowyn Steltzer, and Judah Turnbow; and 3 great-great-grandchildren, Sadie Jo, Cooper Busta and Aiden Gardner. Jesse and Nettie were married 69 years, until Jesse’s death on January 13th, 2015, two days before his 94th birthday.

Nettie and Jesse loved to dance together and enjoyed fishing and traveling together. They spent many summers at their lake lot at Van Hook. They traveled throughout the United States and Canada and took many Bremer Bank bus tours.

Nettie was known as the family historian and she kept a diary from 1945 until her death. She was an avid bowler through out the years and was a team member of the "Blaisdell Gals". She was an excellent pinochle player and belonged to a pinochle club. Nettie also enjoyed crocheting and loved to bless her family members with her creations. She was a valued support to her family and friends and could be counted on to support and help others in whatever practical way she could. Even in her 90s, she supported her grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their extracurricular activities. Nettie’s family also heavily relied upon her to pass on Norwegian traditions to the family.

Nettie is survived by her sister, Ruth Aas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lars and Martha Bjelland; her brothers, Berent and Louis; sisters, Laura, Olive, Marget and Mary; son-in-law, Curtis Myre; and granddaughter, Morgan Brown.

Springan Stevenson Funeral Home of Stanley is assisting the family.