Obituary of Mona Jean Anderson

Mona Jean Anderson, 82, of Cloquet, passed away peacefully with her husband and daughter by her side on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, after a long illness. She was born February 13, 1942, (Friday the 13th), in Estherville, Iowa, to Gunder and Irene (Hogfoss) Fjalstad. She graduated from high school in Clark, South Dakota, and from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Mona used her degree working in human resources for Conwed Corp, Cloquet, where she also edited and published the Mill News. When Conwed closed, she was hired by ISD #709, Duluth, as the Supervisor of Classified Employment. Following her retirement from the school district she worked as a secretary for the Community Support Services of the Human Development Center, Cloquet.

Mona’s passion in life was music, (especially choral music). She was an accomplished pianist, keyboardist, and director. She directed the senior choir and New Song and was director of music ministry at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Cloquet, for over twenty years. She also accompanied and then directed the Viking Male Chorus in Cloquet. Over the years, she accompanied dozens of solo musicians as well.

Music brought Mona and Larry together in 1973. They became best friends doing many things together with “the committee” of other friends. In October, 1986, they married. Over the years they stayed connected to Mona’s family roots, especially her aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. When Larry changed careers and went to the seminary, Mona took pride in proofing and editing his sermons. As Larry’s ministry sites changed, Mona followed him. She was currently a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Toivola, but always felt most connected to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cloquet.

Mona was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Wayne and Sherman; her son, David Olaf Brown; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Vivian (Madden) Anderson.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her husband, Larry A. Anderson; daughter, Rebecca Leigh (Brad Casey) Brown; brother-in-law, Bruce (Susan) Anderson; sisters-in-law, Sandra Fjalstad, Carol Gaard and Arnella McMahan. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Lisa (Matt) Kottke, Jon (Carol) Fjalstad, Peter (Joy) Gaard, Kristin (Daniel) Hernandez, Mark (Heather) Anderson, Sean (Aimee) Anderson, Sheena (Christopher “Zeke”) Whisenhunt; many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation: Friday, May 3, 2024, 5:30 pm – 8 pm at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN

Service: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 11:00 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 615 12th Street, Cloquet, MN, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am.

Inurnment: Maple Grove Cemetery, Cloquet, MN

Mona asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church, Toivola, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Cloquet, the Cloquet Shaw Memorial Library Foundation, the American Cancer Society, or your favorite charity.