Luella Pritchard

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Grace Community Church in Osage, MN.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.INTERMENT : Riverside Cemetery, Osage, MNSURVIVORS : Her four children: JoAnn (Ken) Mikula of Moorhead, MN, Gary (Phyllis) Pritchard of Osage, Judy Stenger of Keaau, HI and Jane Pritchard of Park Rapids; ten grandchildren: Steve Carlson, Mike Carlson, Katherine "Kate" Knutson, Donna Moorhouse, Gloria Anderson, Tim Coste, Pat Kennedy, David Coste, Ken Mikula, Jr. and Tresa Tougas; her three sisters: Alvina Pressler of Great Falls, MT, Alma Stephens McCarren of Vancouver, WA, and Mary Ann (Butch) Svenkensen of Prescott Valley, AZ; her brother, Harold "Bud" Wettels of Bismark, ND and numerous great grandchildren. LUELLA EVELYN PRITCHARDFebruary 13, 1920 " September 15, 2011 Luella Evelyn Pritchard, age 91 a long time area resident, was peacefully ushered into eternity with her loved ones at her side on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at St. Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids while her son was comforting her by reading scripture to her. Luella was born on February 13, 1920 at the old Stone family homestead near Ponsford, MN to John and Meta (Blauert) Wettels. As a young girl, her family moved to a farm on the Ponsford Prairie where she attended the Round Lake Country School near her home. As a young woman, Luella ventured to Minneapolis where she attended the Humboldt Secretarial School. Following her education, Luella returned to the Ponsford area where she met Herbert Pritchard. The two were married on November 23, 1940. The young couple purchased a farm in Osage Township where they engaged in dairy and hog farming. They were blessed with four children: JoAnn, Gary, Judy and Jane. Luella was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful homemaker who was well known for her homemade baked beans. She was an accomplished seamstress who loved to sew, crochet and quilt for her family. In addition to caring for her family, she also worked along side her husband in tending to their livestock. Each spring she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden to preserve for the needs of her growing family. As her children grew older, Luella gained employment outside the home, working for Ringer Mfg., Munsingwear and the Sunset Nursing Home. Luella and Herb farmed in partnership with their son, Gary until 1994, when they dispersed their dairy herd and sold their machinery. Luella had a profound love for music. As a youth she taught herself to play the piano, harmonica and accordion all by ear. With family members and friends, Luella used her musical talent as a teenager to sing and play for folks on the Ponsford Prairie. Later, she played harmonica and accordion at the Osage Baptist Church and at the Nursing Home. She was a gifted artist who enjoyed painting with oil and acrylics and also loved working with ceramics. Above all, Luella was a loving and faithful wife and mother who possessed a strong faith in Jesus Christ. She was a long time member of the Osage Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and enjoyed the fellowship on a regular basis. Luella will be lovingly remembered by her four children: JoAnn (Ken) Mikula of Moorhead, MN, Gary (Phyllis) Pritchard of Osage, Judy Stenger of Keaau, HI and Jane Pritchard of Park Rapids; ten grandchildren: Steve Carlson, Mike Carlson, Katherine "Kate" Knutson, Donna Moorhouse, Gloria Anderson, Tim Coste, Pat Kennedy, David Coste, Ken Mikula, Jr. and Tresa Tougas; her three sisters: Alvina Pressler of Great Falls, MT, Alma Stephens McCarren of Vancouver, WA, and Mary Ann (Butch) Svenkensen of Prescott Valley, AZ; her brother, Harold "Bud" Wettels of Bismark, ND along with numerous great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert in 1998; her sister, Ida; and four brothers: Otto, Irvin, Carl and John. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the Grace Community Church in Osage, MN with Pastor Paul McKibbon officiating. Casketbearers will be: Jerry Wettels, Jim Wettels, Russel Wettels, Ron Wettels, Steve Wettels and Mark Magnuson. Honorary casketbearers will be: John Pritchard, Harold "Bud" Wettels, Gunder "Butch" Svenkensen, Don Simons, Gaylas Pritchard, Rick Harsha, Bob Pritchard, Jr., Eugene Pritchard and Bill Christlieb. Interment will be made in the Riverside Cemetery in Osage, MN. A luncheon following the service will be hosted by the ladies of Grace Community Church. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.