Ray Bjelland

Ray Bjelland, age 87, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away surrounded by his wife and family on the evening of June 27, 2206 in the comfort of his own home under the care of Iowa River Hospice.

Funeral services for Ray will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials in Ray’s name may be designated to Iowa River Hospice or Midwest Bible Camp. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Ray Grant Bjelland was born October 23, 1938 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was the oldest of three children and only son born to Oren and Ruth (Tweed) Bjelland. Ray grew up in rural Marshalltown on the family farm. He attended school in Le Grand, Iowa graduating Le Grand High School in 1956. He furthered his education at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

While in at high school, Ray met the love of his life, Kathleen Crookshank and the two were united in marriage on August 18, 1957 at the Church of Christ in Marshalltown. Ray began his career working alongside his father on the family farm while working evenings at Van’s Café. He raised along with Kathleen five children, Bill, Tim, Mark, Jake and Brent in Le Grand, Iowa. Ray over the next few years worked for Gray Iron, Glick Supply and Hartwig Plumbing. In 1970, he took on his best venture of starting Bjelland Plumbing. He worked until October 30, 2018 when he retired officially.

Ray was a longtime member of the Marshalltown Church of Christ where he served as an elder. As his children grew, he served as a Boy Scout and Cub Scout Leader and was a founding charter member of the Le Grand Lions Club. In his free time, first thing that was most important was being a grandpa. He was always sure to make it to their various activities as often as he was able. Additionally, he enjoyed spending time outdoors going fishing, gardening and camping.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Kathleen; his children, Bill (Kim) Bjelland, Tim (Tammy) Bjelland, Mark (Julie) Bjelland, Jake (Mary) Bjelland and Brent (Phyllis) Bjelland; 13 grandchildren, Raechel (Adam) Wilkens, Keven Bjelland, Jeremy Bjelland, Tyrel (Morgan) Bjelland, Adam (Emily) Bjelland, Sammi (Jon) Labello, Jessi Murphy, John McMeekin, Jennifer Flowers, Kale (Brad) Brunson, Katie (Caleb) Wilkinson, Justus (Natasha) Bjelland and Tammy Bjelland; 13 great-grandchildren, Riley, Ashlyn, Billy, Daxten, Ryker, Rielle, Tate, Mila, Grayson, Henry, Charlie, Raelynn and Casey. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, May (Larry) Stock and many nieces and nephews.

In eternal life, he in joined with his parents, Oren and Ruth Bjelland; father and mother-in-law, Floyd and Ruby Crookshank and sister and brother-in-law, June and David Nicholas.