Ione Evelyn Kjelaas

Ione E. Kjelaas, age 93 of Adams, North Dakota, passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Valley Eldercare Center of Grand Forks.
Ione Evelyn Rundhaug was born January 7, 1926 in Adams, North Dakota, the daughter of the late Theo and Edith (Pierson) Rundhaug.  She attended school in Adams and graduated in 1944.  She worked at her father’s store, The Rundhaug Drug Store and the Woolworth Store in Grand Forks.  She also worked at the Nils Omdalen Café, which later became known as Kjelaas Café, operated by Vincent.  Ione was united in marriage to Vincent Kjelaas on June 19, 1947, in Adams.  The couple ran the café until 1948.  They moved to California for a year and returned to Adams.  Vincent passed away on September 17, 2008.  Ione moved to Grand Forks in 2010 and the Valley Eldercare Center in 2018.
She was a member of the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and WELCA, was a lifetime member of the Adams American Legion Auxiliary and Vaarliv Sons of Norway.
Ione is survived by her children:  Vickie Mahnke, Grand Forks, ND; Bruce (Renee) Kjelaas; grandchildren:  Karen (Jason) Bindas, Nancy (Christopher) Sorensen, Michael Mahnke and Kristina Kjelaas; great grandchildren:  Jeffrey Ollerich, Jessie Bindas, Logan Bindas, Kevin Sorensen, Isabelle Sorensen, Kaydn Norberg, Karlie Norberg and Jossilyn Norberg; five step-grandchildren; 13 step great grandchildren and two step great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Vincent.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 4, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. at the Mountain Lutheran Church of Adams, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at the West Adams Cemetery, Adams, ND.

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