Wilhelmine "Mina" Ulven

Our dear mother, Wilhelmine "Mina" Ulven sadly passed away on February 27, 2024 at the age of 87. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her. She also had many friends and was a well-loved member of the Grand Forks community.

Mina was the youngest of 8 children and was born on the second floor of the Claseman Family photography studio/home in Long Prairie Minnesota in 1937 to George and Rosamond Claseman. Mina was one of her father's favorite photography assistants, coloring photographs by hand and helping him shoot weddings.

Mina attended St. Mary's grade school in Long Prairie, followed by Long Prairie High School, before graduating in 1955. She went on to attend St. Cloud State College for 2 years and transferred to Stout State College in Menomonie to complete her degree in Home Economics Education. She got great enjoyment from teaching in Virginia and Monticello, Minnesota for several years.

In 1960, she married her college sweetheart, Milford "Bud" Ulven. Their first home was a mobile home in St. Cloud, furnished from the Montgomery Wards catalog. Mina transitioned from using her Home Economics skills as a teacher to becoming a "homemaker" extraordinaire after they moved to Winona. They briefly lived in DeKalb Il, before finally settling in Grand Forks.

Mina was a true role model for us after Bud passed in 1979. Although it was devastating to become a widow at such an early age, she finished raising 4 children on her own and continued to champion education by returning to school and earning an Accounting degree at UND.  Mina became a CPA and worked in the Trust Department at Alerus Financial for 20 years, before retiring in 2005.

Through it all, Mina had a steadfast faith in God. She faithfully attended St. Thomas Aquinas for over 55 years. She was constantly deepening her faith, most recently through integrating the Hallow app into her prayer life. She looked forward to the weekly rosary gatherings at Silver Waters. In 2018, she took the trip of a lifetime with her daughter Susan to the Holy Land to see a few of the sacred places from the bible in person.

Above all, Mina loved her children and grandchildren. She taught her children to read at an early age and do "donut math", learning to equitably divide donuts or other food items among 4 children. She passed along her love of music, books and all things UND Sports, especially ringing her cow bell at the opposing teams whenever UND scored a goal in hockey. She made sure she spent one on one time with each of her grandchildren every year; sharing her love of painting, sewing, and baking cinnamon rolls.

In retirement, Mina continued to pursue her interests in painting and in fitness. She loved the fellowship that she received at her weekly Park Board painting class and at the bi-weekly Silver Sneakers fitness sessions. She also couldn't say no to a Silver Sneakers flash mob dance.

Mina is survived by her children, Steve (Sue) Ulven of Grand Forks, Susan (John) King of Fort Myers, FL and Rose (Dan) Heldt of Superior WI; Daughter-in-law Grace Ulven of Maplewood MN; six grandchildren, Sara (Lucas) Ince, Henry Mace, Jennifer Ulven, Jasmine Ulven, Lucas Ulven and Derek Ulven; and sister Rosamond Ecklund.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 6 siblings, husband Milford "Bud" Ulven and son Milford "Ted" Ulven.

Memorial Mass: Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in the St Thomas Aquinas Newman Center on the UND Campus in Grand Forks, ND

Visitation: 1 hour before services time Friday at the Newman Center.

Burial: will be in the spring of 2024 at Calvary Cemetery,.