Mildred Hofstad Ingebo Sister, aunt, educator, counselor, historian, musician, church and political activist, Scandinavian heritage builder—Mildred Gladys Hofstad Ingebo was these and more in the 97 years she dedicated her life to improving the lives of rural North Dakotans. Mildred lost her life to Covid-19 November 23, 2020, residing at Heart of America Care Center, Rugby. Family and friends grieve her untimely death and all who have succumbed to the dreadful disease. Mildred was born to Norwegian immigrants, Bjarne and Aasta Hofstad, June 27, 1923, in Crosby. In celebration of their first born, Bjarne presented to his wife and daughter a gift of pink prairie roses from his parents’ homestead in Burg Township, south of Ambrose. So began the birthday tradition of giving prairie roses to Mildred. Roses represented her parents’ love and desire that like the delicate, yet strong rose bush, her life would blossom, and indeed, it did! Mildred was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, on grandparents Lornts and Grethe Hofstad’s farm. At Trinity, Mildred sang in choirs, taught Bible school, and at age 13, was its youngest organist. Elementary education was at one-room Roseville School #4. Because of the 1930s drought and World War II, Mildred was home-schooled for three years by her mother through the Division of Correspondence Study, North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU). In 1942 she graduated from Glenburn High School. To help reduce the teacher shortage caused by World War II she enrolled in emergency teacher training at Minot State College, teaching at Elmgren, Brown and Fairview Schools, 1942-1946. Growing up in Harmony Farmers Union Local inspired Mildred to be a North Dakota Farmers Union fieldworker in counties near Williston and Minot, 1946-1953, and state director of youth activities, 1954-58. She loved helping farm families improve education and health services, organizing summer camps and cooperatives, and promoting civil and human rights worldwide. A highlight was working with former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at a United Nations Conference in New York City, where alleviating hunger through international farm cooperation was a priority. Mildred received her Bachelor of Science in speech pathology from Mankato State College in 1964, and her Master of Science in speech-language pathology and education for the deaf from Minot State College in 1971. Fourteen schools, including Tioga, Ray, Epping, Crosby, Fortuna and Noonan, were served by Mildred. In 1976, Mildred returned to North Dakota Farmers Union as education assistant to the president and resource librarian. Supporting Farmers Union’s platform of healthcare for all, Mildred was a member of the North Dakota State Health Coordinating Council, worked with the Mental Health Association to plan farm stress workshops, and researched the Canadian health care system, touring clinics and hospitals. Mildred moved to Watford City in 1984 resuming her speech pathology career, and to Crosby in 1986, where she retired to care for her mother and uncle until their deaths. Her life in Crosby was enhanced as she continued to provide speech pathology services part-time and enjoy family events. Mildred edited and published her mother’s and uncle’s books (“Aasta’s Memories” and “Memories of a Norwegian Immigrant”), wrote the history of Divide County Farmers Union (with publishing help of Divide County Journal staff), was active in the historical society, senior citizens, Concordia Lutheran Church, Farmers Union, retired teachers and the Democrat-NPL. In 1994, Rugby became Mildred’s home, where she served numerous roles in the Sons of Norway and other organizations and musically entertained Haaland Home and Heart of America Care Center residents. Mildred spoke her mind about current issues, and at age 90 penned letters to newspapers believing it was crucial to defend the Affordable Care Act, as it protected people with underlying illnesses from losing their health insurance coverage. An organizer of events, including family reunions in the United States and Norway, Mildred filled her family’s lives with adventure and love and will live in their hearts and memories forever. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Bjarne and Aasta Hofstad; grandparents, Lornts and Grethe Hofstad and Andreas and Marianna Ryan; brother-in-law, Glen Abrahamson; nephews, Gary and Larry Abrahamson; sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Douglas Engkvist; uncle, Sigurd Hofstad; and many beloved relatives. She is survived by sisters, Vivian Abrahamson and Bernice (Byron) Knutson; nephews, Keith (Valerie), David (Marsha) and Randy (Lori) Abrahamson, Robert (Sherri) Engkvist; nieces, Diane and Sophia Engkvist, Shari (John) Matusiak, Rebecca and Harmony (Alan Cohn) Knutson; niece-in-law, Alice Abrahamson; and fourteen grand nieces and nephews. Interment will take place at Vasa Cemetery, Esmond, Alice and Douglas Engkvist’s resting place, when the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided, allowing family and friends to safely gather. Memorials may be to North Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund, Vasa Cemetery, or charities of your choice. Niewoehner Funeral Home - Rugby www.niewoehnerfh.com