Eileen R. Blixrud passed away July 11, 2023 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Eileen was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on February 17, 1931 to Sherwin and Bertha (Ness) Ackerson. She had one sister, Elfrida (James) Strand. She was baptized by O.G. Osseng. She was confirmed at Erdahl Lutheran Church on November 4, 1945 by Norm Harstow. The family lived briefly in the Eden Valley/Paynesville area until moving to the Ackerson family farm near Erdahl, Minnesota. Eileen attended rural school in District 43, graduating from eighth grade in 1943, and graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1947. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead until 1949 and went to work for Lutheran Brotherhood in Minneapolis until 1950.
With many family connections, Eileen and Alden Blixrud met and came together in marriage on May 20, 1951, while Alden was in the Army. Eileen and Alden followed Alden’s career moves to Waubun, Barrett, Buffalo Lake, Huntley, Stewart, and finally St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The couple were blessed with three children, Julia (Keith Russell) Blixrud, Craig (Susan) Blixrud and Wendy (Ellworth) Beckmann, and five grandchildren, Amanda Fenske, Brandon (Lauren), Alexander (Morgan Elliott), Rachel (Michael Parrish), and Morgan Blixrud (Dan Bergquist), and two great-grandchildren, Berit and Evelyn Blixrud.
Eileen was a stay-at-home mom and presided over many local organizations and served on many committees. When the move to St. Louis Park came in 1978, Eileen began a 16-year career at Prudential Insurance. After retiring, Eileen and Alden traveled extensively. Their favorite trips were the multiple times to Norway. Eileen’s greatest loves were the a cappella choir, reading to the WECC children, and serving Westwood Lutheran church in many capacities.
Eileen was predeceased by her parents, sister, husband, her daughter, Julia, and son-in-law, Rick Fenske.
A Memorial Service will be held at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park on Thursday, July 20. Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m., with the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. and a lunch to follow. The address is 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN. Private family interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials to Eileen are preferred to the Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation, Westwood Lutheran Church.
Washburn-McCreavy is handling arrangements.
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