Obituary of Ragna K. Hjemdahl-Monsen

Ragna Karoline Hjemdahl-Monsen (nee Hansen) of Jamestown died Sunday March 5, 2017, in the Highlands Hospital, Rochester, NY, following a brief illness at the age of 97. She was born the youngest of 12 children on December 27, 1919 in Sigerfjord, Norway, a daughter of the late Johan and Ragnhild Glad Hansen. Ragna trained as a nurse in Bergen, Norway and during this time met her husband Einar Johan Hjemdahl-Monsen. They were married February of 1947. Along with her family Ragna immigrated to the Unites States, settling in Jamestown, NY in 1948, where several of her siblings also resided. Ragna continued her work in health care while living in Jamestown. She worked as a nurse and x-ray technician at Jamestown General Hospital, then later as a hospital ward secretary at WCA Hospital until her retirement in 1982. An active member of her church community, both at the former Epworth Christ United Methodist Church and at Christ First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the chancel choir, the bell choir and various other women's groups within the church. In 2012, Ragna received the award of merit from the Scandinavian Studies Program at Jamestown Community College for her over 14 years of teaching hardanger embroidery through their "share the culture program" as well as at the Scandinavian Folk Festival. Ragna enjoyed many types of hand work, especially crocheting and knitting. She specialized in very intricate Nordic motif sweaters, hats, mittens and socks. Ragna was also a skilled quilter. She also enjoyed spending many hours playing cards with her many close girl friends. She is survived by her three children, Stein Jarl Hjemdahl-Monsen of Jamestown, NY, Margareth Hjemdahl-Monsen of Fairport, NY, Dr. Craig Elvin Hjemdahl-Monsen (Dr. Lisa Hjemdahl-Monsen) of Bedford, NY, her seven grandchildren, Erik Hjemdahl-Monsen (Sara Hjemdahl-Monsen) of Buffalo, NY, Alyssa (nee Hjemdahl-Monsen) McKee (John McKee) of New York, NY, Craig Bryant Monsen (fiancee Vanessa Pascoe) of Seattle, WA, Carly Hjemdahl-Monsen of Boston, MA, Kristen (nee Amann) Edmond (Jesse Edmond) of Fairport, NY, Elizabeth Amann (fiancee Jeffrey Whitney) of Boulder, CO, Christopher Monsen of Nashville, Tn. She is also survived by two great granddaughters, Morgan and Riley Hjemdahl-Monsen of Buffalo, NY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Einar Hjemdahl-Monsen who died June 25, 1973, a daughter-in-law, Carol Hjemdahl-Monsen (nee Oljeski) as well as her parents and eleven brothers and sisters. The funeral will be held at 10:00 am Monday, March 13, 2017, in Christ Chapel of Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Natalie Hanson, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4-7 pm Sunday, March 12, 2017, in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ragna's name to the Scandinavian Studies Program, c/o Jamestown Community College, 525 Falconer, St., P.O. Box 20, Jamestown, NY 14702 or to the Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701.