NONA VAMMEN

BLAIR, Neb. - Nona Alfreda Bentsen Vammen, 91, of Blair, Neb., died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at a Blair nursing home.

A memorial service was held Wednesday at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home chapel in Blair with the Rev. Kenneth A. Jensen presiding. Graveside services and inurnment

are to be held at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church Cemetery in McCabe at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Stephen Odegaard officiating.

Nona was born on Sept. 11, 1911, to Ole and Anna (Andersen) Olsen on her parents' homestead outside of McCabe. She graduated from Culbertson High School, Trinity School of Nursing in Minot, N.D., and the School of Anesthesiology in Detroit, Mich.

Nona was united in marriage to Charles W. Bentsen on Nov. 7, 1939, in Glendive. While the couple farmed and raised a family in the McCabe area, Nona worked as a nurse, nurse anesthetist and hospital administrator in Culbertson. When Charles died in 1960, Nona moved her family to Culbertson.

On April 12, 1961, Nona married the Rev. Peter J. Vammen at the First Lutheran Church in Blair. They lived and worked in Culbertson, Miles City, and Havre. She resided in Blair since retiring there in 1983.

In addition to her careers, Nona was active in music, ladies aid activities, and Bible studies at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Dane Valley, Montana and in the other communities where she lived. Some areas in which she served were as choir director, pianist, Bible camp nurse, Sunday school teacher, and Circle president.

She enjoyed social time at the weekly card parties while living at Johansen Manor, word games and puzzles. She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a caring and compassionate nurse, and an individual who was always concerned with others' spiritual welfare.

Nona was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands; brother, Arden Olsen; and sister, Mildred Cheney.

Survivors include her daughters, Anne L. Nielsen of Pisgah, Iowa, and Patricia M. Bentsen of Tulear, Madagascar; son, David C. (Kim) Bentsen of Modale, Iowa; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

Memorials be made to the charity of the donor's choice or to the Madagascar Mission, c/o First Lutheran Church, 2146 Wright St., Blair, NE 68008-1167. Letters of condolence may be written to Family of Nona Vammen, P.O. Box 37, Modale, Iowa 51556-0037.