Isla E. Rolfson Streeter, 96, Bemidji

Published 10:17 am Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Isla E. Rolfson Streeter, 96, of Bemidji, Minn., died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Tamarack Court.

Isla Streeter

Isla was born in Two Rivers Township, Morrison County, to Theodora (Jacobson) and Bennett Hanson on Dec. 8, 1916. After her mother’s death, she and her sister lived with her grandparents in Elmdale, Minn. She graduated from Upsala High School in 1934. She attended the University of Minnesota, and in her junior year she married Neil Rolfson in February 1938. They raised eight children on a farm near Brownsdale, Minn. She was an elementary school teacher at Queen of Angels in Austin. During this time, she was an active church volunteer, 4-H leader and full-time loving mom. Her hobbies were her children, sewing, gardening, music and family picnics. She and Neil moved to Bemidji in 1962 to run Neil’s Sports Haven on Movil Lake. Here she resumed teaching at Pleasant Valley and Northern Elementary School until she retired. After Neil passed away, she married Lloyd Streeter. They continued to live on the lake, garden, traveling and spending time with grandchildren. She was active in homemakers group and church circle, and formed beautiful friendships that still last. She moved to Tamarack Court Assisted Living three years ago and again formed new friendships, both with caring staff and other residents.

She is survived by her children, Sr. Helen Rolfson, OSF of St. Cloud, Minn., Richard (Elizabeth) Rolfson of San Diego, Calif., Leslie (Barb) Rolfson of Pine Island, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Kathy Rolfson (Tom) of Cottage Grove, Minn., John (Sandy) Rolfson of Bagley, Minn., Ann Rolfson Schiefert of Bemidji, Patricia (Fred) Rolfson Prom of Pengilly, Minn., Merle Rolfson of Naperville, Ill., and stepson, Rick (Phyllis) Streeter of Kingsport, Tenn.; 24 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodora and Bennett Hanson; stepmom, Mollie Hanson; husbands, Neil Rolfson and Lloyd Streeter; son, Neil Thomas Rolfson; stepdaughter, Lennae Streeter; brother, Bruce Hanson; sister-in-law, Ann Hanson; sister, Enid Holden and brother-in-law, Joe Holden; granddaughter, Gina Marie Rolfson.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, at St. Philips Catholic Church with Father Craig Vasek officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Bemidji. Memorials may be directed to Sanford Home Care and Hospice, Diabetes Research or Bemidji Food Shelf. Online guestbook at www.olsonschwartzfuneralhome.com.