Angelen Aletta (Dumdai) Larson was born May 15, 1929 to John and Anna Dumdai on the homestead south of Arnegard. She was baptized in May 1929. Angelen was a member of Zoar Lutheran Church until Zoar joined Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard. Angelen graduated from Arnegard High School in 1946. She spent time working in Williston working, briefly taught school in Grassy Butte. Angelen and Anna also lived in California for six months exploring life.
Angelen went with her brother Ernest and cousin Carl Hagen to Montana. Angelen told the story that while they worked in the mines and she would pack up all their belongings and move to different apartments nearly every week for something to do.
Angelen always came back to her beloved badlands, there was never a place she liked better. Angelen married Oliver Larson on February 1, 1948. They lived on the Larson ranch south of Arnegard. She was an active partner in the ranching and farming throughout their married life.
Angelen always wanted children. Until she got her own, she got to practice with the Nelson girls. Angelen thought of Cindy, Barb and Peggy as her own daughters.
In 1961 Angelen’s dream of being a mother came true when they got to adopt Steven. In February 1963 they went to Fargo and brought five-month-old Rozanna back with them, in a blizzard, to complete the family.
Angelen was a member the Zoar Lutheran Ladies Aide, Sons of Norway, District One Cattle Women, Fifty Years in the Saddle. She was also one of the first contributors to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. She held many offices in these organizations.
Angelen’s love for pets was well known. She enjoyed her horses, cats and dogs throughout the years. Time spent horseback riding was the best time of her life.
Angelen was a collector of many things. She never threw anything away. The one collection she treasured most in her life was her many friends and family. Her heart was most full when she could visit with friends, playing whist or rummy (she cheated), giving people rides or making a meal. The holiday meal wasn’t complete without her 20-cup bowl of strawberry-banana Jello.
Angelen is survived by her son, Steven Larson, Watford City, ND; daughter Rozanna Larson (Jay Wold), Minot, ND. Grandchildren Preston Larson, Watford City, ND, Cheyanne (Boots) Adkins (Tyler), Bismarck, ND; Kayla (Wold) Hunt (Clint), Lawton, OK; Jaylind (Wold) Vaden (Corey) Marlow, OK; Tyler Wold (JoLynn Wold), Minot, ND; Michael Wold (Danielle Bolinske), Minot, ND; Parker Wold (Raven Shear), Minot, ND. Great grandchildren, Serenity Adkins, Lillianna Adkins, Jacob Adkins, Kynlee Davis, Jayda Davis, Huntley Hunt, Crew Hunt, Kingston Suarez, Arionna Suarez, and Norah Vaden. Nieces: Pam (Dumdai) Durham (Mike), Margaret (Larson) Hernandez, Nephews, Albert Larson (Jeanne), Harold Larson (Bekki); Jimmy Larson (Alana), Paul Larson; many great nieces and nephews; and her bonus family Joel, Kari, Jacob and Sarah Grieger.
Angelen is preceded by her husband Oliver Larson, her parents John and Anna, her brother Ernest Dumdai; sisters-in-law Lola Dumdai, Mabel (Larson) Norgard, and Evelyn (Larson) Stensrud; brothers-in-law Ervin Larson and Armor Larson; nephews Jerry Larson and Harry Larson; nephews-in-law Larry Kummer and Frank Hernandez; niece-in-law Linda Larson.