Marjorie Anne Ophus Mjelde was born on November 20th, 1931, to Harry and Anne (Knudson) Ophus in rural Erskine, MN.  Marjorie attended grade school in rural Erskine and was baptized and confirmed at Rodnes Lutheran Church.  She attended high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWA) in Crookston, MN, graduating in 1949.  While a student at NWA, Marjorie met her future husband, Ira Theodore Mjelde of Beltrami, MN.

Marjorie and Ira were married on December 31st, 1948, at Marjorie's home in rural Erskine, MN.  They initially farmed in rural Beltrami, MN, then spent a short time living near San Francisco, CA.  They returned to live in Moorhead, MN, where they stayed for many years, and owned Quality Builders and Realty of Moorhead, as well as a general department store in Dilworth, MN.  During her years in Fargo-Moorhead, Marjorie was active in political and civic work. In 1973 they moved to Erskine, MN, where they returned to farming for the following 10 years.  In 1983, Marjorie and Ira moved to Sierra Madre, CA, where Marjorie obtained her real estate license.  She successfully sold real estate for 10 years in the Pasadena, CA, area before they retired in 1998.  They then travelled for two years, before returning to rural Erskine, MN, where they enjoyed remodeling their home on Marjorie's family farm.  As their health declined, Marjorie and Ira returned to California to be near family.  Marjorie became a resident of Atherton Baptist Home in February, 2014. While living at Atherton, Marjorie produced a book of photographs and stories provided by her high school friends.

Early in their marriage while living in Moorhead, MN, Marjorie and Ira became Christians.  They were charter members of Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead, and spent many summers attending Inspiration Point Bible Camp in Clitherall, MN.  They sacrificed much to send all 5 of their children to attend Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN, in order to receive a Christian education.  Marjorie had a beautiful singing voice and often provided special music in church, accompanying herself on the auto harp. She taught Sunday School and participated in women's groups.  She and Ira founded the Woodside 4-H club and she worked as a Social Worker Designee at Pioneer Memorial Care Center while living in Erskine.  Marjorie was an avid reader of anything she could get her hands on and she enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and taking classes, whether to learn a craft or a language (Norwegian), or to study part time at Moorhead State University.  Marjorie had many domestic talents and raised her family in a loving home.  She was known for her gift of hospitality.

Marjorie passed away on July 30, 2019, at Alhambra Hospital with family by her side.  She is survived by her daughter Jan Wader of Pasadena, CA, son Mark of Minnetrista, MN, daughter Elizabeth (Daniel) Ferris of Miles City, MT; daughter Dawn (Eric) Jones of Glendora, CA; grandson Joshua (Andrea) Wader and great granddaughter Karli Wader of Long Beach, CA; granddaughter Anna Wader and great grandson Christian Wader-Lopez of Makawao, HI; daughter-in-law Debra Mjelde of Erskine; step grandchildren Katy (Mike), Stella, and Josiah Mavis of Des Moines, IA; Traci (Brandon) and Noah Hills of Des Moines, IA; Brett Pederson of St. Paul, MN; brother Fred (Donna) Ophus of Granada Hills, CA; sister Sandra (John) Delmore of Coon Rapids, MN; brother-in-law Archie Mjelde of Buffalo, MN; sister-in-law Deloris Stauning of Beltrami, MN; sister-in-law Norma Mjelde of Moorhead, MN; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Marjorie was preceded in death by husband Ira, son Kent, brother and sister-in-law Roger and Mona Ophus, brothers-in-law Maurice, Vernon, and Curtis Mjelde, sisters-in-law Nelda Thompson and Inez Marsh, parents, and parents-in-law.  Blessed be the memory of Marjorie Anne Ophus Mjelde.

Funeral: 11:00AM Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at Rodnes Lutheran Church, rural Erskine, MN.

Visitation: 5:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Homes in Fertile, MN, and one hour before the service at the church.

Burial: Rodnes Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erskine, MN.