Cora Ravndalen, 94

A funeral service for Cora Ingalls Ravndalen of Warroad, MN, will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Roosevelt, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Warroad, MN, and also one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Interment will take place at Silent City Cemetery in Roosevelt, MN.

In Lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial gifts made to Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church.

Cora Ingalls Ravndalen was born on the Ingalls Farm on April 15, 1929, in Spruce Valley Township near Middle River, Minnesota, to Anna Jutilda Josephina Magnuson Ingalls and Ethel Leroy Ingalls.

Cora was the 11th of 12 children, all born on the farm. This farm was the former townsite of Ingalls, Minnesota, where Cora's grandfather, William Henry Ingalls, was the founding father of the town in the 1880s.

Cora begged to go to school when her older sister Gladys went, and although she was only 5, the teacher said if she kept up, she could stay. Most days, she would walk 2 miles to school, or for faster transportation, Bonnie, the family horse, would deliver by buggy or sleigh, depending on the time of year.

This began her lifelong love of education, for she graduated from Middle River High School at 16, went to Thief River Falls Teacher's Training College, graduated at 17, and began her 30-year teaching career at 18. Her first teaching job was at the Roosevelt School in 1947, then moved to the Williams School in the early 1950s, teaching mostly 2nd grade while continuing her education at Bemidji State University.

It was at this time she met Alvin Ravndalen, a local farmer and lumberjack, and had their first date at the Nite Hawk in Roosevelt where they enjoyed dinner and dancing.

They were married on June 5, 1949, at First Lutheran Church in Middle River. Alvin and Cora purchased their first house from Alvin's brother Ted in 1949 in Roosevelt. Alvin began his farm career with his five brothers, and they worked individually and together, clearing land and farming the acres that have become Ravndalen Farms. They also worked together as lumberjacks in the winter months until retirement in the 1980's.

On August 17, 1962, Milo and Mark came to live with Cora and Alvin from Lutheran Social Services in Minneapolis. After 13 years of marriage, Alvin and Cora had decided they wanted a family and applied for adoption. One day, while picking blueberries, they got word from Lutheran Social Services that they had a child—but would they take twins instead? They said yes, changing their lives forever.

In July 1964, Merlin was born in Warroad to Alvin and Cora. Now, Alvin has three sons, all farm workers and dedicated rock pickers! Cora and Alvin were passionate, involved, and very caring parents, encouraging their sons to excel not only in farming but in all aspects of education and life.

In the 1980s, Cora retired from teaching and Alvin from farming to enjoy their hobbies, community, and traveling. Cora was very involved in Mt. Carmel Church, the Cancer Society, the Garden Club, and the Retired Teachers Club. Cora loved her local communities, splitting time between Roosevelt, Williams, and Warroad. Their farm home was "a buzz" with neighbors, friends, and family gatherings from both the Ingalls and Ravndalen sides. The coffee pot was always "on" or ready to brew.

Alvin passed away on April 21, 2001, and Cora continued to live on the family farm home until July 2019. She made the best of it, enjoyed her time, and continued to help her brothers-in-law, sisters, and brothers as they aged and passed.

In July 2019, Cora moved into the Warroad Senior Living Center's Assisted Living wing. She graciously transitioned to this new style of life and lived there for 4 years and 8 months with the greatest care from the wonderful staff. While at Warroad, she reconnected with past neighbors and forged new friendships with those living there and the staff.

On February 29, Cora suffered a heart attack and, after 6 days, moved from the Roseau Hospital to the Warroad Senior Living Center in the Skilled Care wing. On March 15, Cora passed away and went to join those whom she loved who had gone before her. Cora passed at the age of 94 years and 11 months.

Cora enjoyed playing and winning at Farkle, bingo, Bananagrams, solitaire, crossword puzzles, and sudoku. For many years, she enjoyed her church, quilting, and rosemaling and was passionate about making birthday and wedding cakes when asked by family and friends. She loved picking blueberries, gardening, canning, and her flower beds. She treasured her road trips back to her childhood hometown of Middle River.

She enjoyed being a grandma, traveling with friends, nieces and nephews, hosting parties, and watching grandchildren play both boys and girls hockey, and made many meals over the years for the Ravndalen Deer Hunting Camp. Her home hallways were sometimes transformed into a hockey rink by her grandsons. The "red room" in her home became "Camp Corky" during the hockey school years for granddaughters and friends. The treehouse in the backyard willow trees were a favorite for many children and friends. Her Halloween popcorn balls were enjoyed by three generations of families, and her caramel rolls were devoured by many, including entire girl and boy hockey teams!

Her personal traits included being kind, generous, thoughtful, accepting, a life-long learner, and an advocate for the underdog. She loved her churches, both Ebenezer and Mt Carmel, and had a strong faith. Cora was also fond of reconnecting with former students that she had taught in her classroom, of which she had many who lived in the local area.

Two of her favorite sayings were "The best is yet to come" and "Don't be sad that it's over....be happy that it happened"! Her positive attitude was one we could all admire and learn from each day.

Cora is preceded in death by the love of her life, Alvin, her parents, Ethel and Anna, and brothers and sisters Willie, Mabel, Arsa, Edith, Clarence, Ellen, Gladys, and Betty. Three siblings died in infancy and early years: Baby Ingalls, Anna, and Edith. She was also preceded by her brothers-in-law, Ted Tunheim, Eli Erickson, Lyle Blahauvietz, Melvin Larson, and Anfin Blakstvedt, and sister-in-law, Allene Ingalls. Cora was also preceded in death by Alvin's parents, Olav and Ingeborg, sisters and brothers and their wives and husbands, Olaf and Evie, Jergan, Gunval, Ted and Betsy, Otto and Eileen, Tillie and Charlie, and Marie and Al.

Cora is survived by her three sons--Mark, Milo and Merlin and wives Karleen, Kathleen, and partner Joe Disterhaupt. She is also survived by four grandsons and their wives -- Garrett and Bree, Bryce and Cassie, Daniel and Brittany, and Terrance and Lexi, and three granddaughters in Kalley, Haley, and Macey. Cora is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, 14 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews.