Ethel Mahlum Love • 1922 - 2010

Ethel Mahlum Love, 87, Minot, formerly of Bowbells, ND, died Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in a Minot nursing home.

Ethel Hansen was born October 16, 1922, a daughter of Soren P. and Minne M. (Schwabe) Hansen in Brainerd, MN. As a young child the family moved to Norma, ND, where she attended grade school. Ethel graduated from Kenmare High School.

On February 1, 1943, Ethel was united in marriage to Christian Mahlum at Trinity Lutheran Church, north of Kenmare, ND. They made their home in Norma, ND, Flaxton, ND and later Bowbells, ND. Ethel worked for the 1st National Bank in Bowbells as custodian. She also had daycare for several years, many children would call her “Grandma Ethel.” She cared for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many, many area children. She also worked visitation for Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Bowbells. Christian died in 1976.  Ethel married Victor Love on July 10, 1987. He died 1992. She moved into Brentmoor assisted Living and in August of 2008, entered Trinity Homes.

Ethel was very active at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bowbells. She taught Sunday school, was a Luther League Advisor, WELCA and the Ladies Aid. Her years of making quilts for Lutheran Relief will long be remembered. She was also a member of the Walster Homemakers and a 4-H leader in Bowbells.  

Ethel enjoyed gardening, canning and sharing garden produce with family and friends. She loved attending sports and school activities of grandchildren. Ethel was the local “Sewing lady.” She could sew or mend, shorten or lengthen just about anything. In her younger year she sewed prom, wedding, bridesmaid dresses and cheerleading uniforms.

Those who shared in her life: Sons: Wayne Mahlum, deceased and his wife Gaileen Mahlum, Kingman, AZ ,Kermit (Mary) Mahlum, Prior Lake, MN, David (Linda) Mahlum, Minot; daughters: Clara (Wayne) Olson, Bowbells, Beverly (Sidney) Christiansen, Columbia, MO; foster brother Lance (Dawn) Roness, Bismarck, ND; fifteen grandchildren: twenty three great-grandchildren: four great-great-grandchildren:
Sisters: Ella Johnson, Minot, Edith (Harold) Maginel, Albuquerque, NM; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Christian Mahlum and Victor Love, son Wayne Mahlim, one great-grandchild, brothers Ervin Hansen, Elwyn Hansen, one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law

Visitation:  Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 am until service time at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bowbells, ND

Funeral Service: Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bowbells, ND

Burial: Bowbells Community Cemetery, Bowbells, ND

Memorials are preferred to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bowbells, ND.

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