Christopher Mjelde

Watch Chris' Funeral Service

Christopher "Chris" Mjelde, age 67, of Moorhead, MN, formerly Beltrami, MN, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his family, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Christopher Maurice Mjelde was born in Crookston, MN, on November 5, 1958, the son of Maurice and Deloris (Monson) Mjelde. His early years were spent on a farm near Beltrami and unfortunately, his father passed away when he was only five years old. Deloris then married Fred Stauning, a wonderful father figure for Chris, and the family moved into Beltrami to make their home. Following graduation from Fertile High School with the Class of 1977, Chris entered the workforce. He started at Cenex in Beltrami and then Big A Auto Parts in Crookston, MN. He also worked as a substitute mail carrier for a time before returning to Cenex. Chris married the love of his life, Sandra Ose, on April 4, 1981, at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary, MN. Chris always enjoyed life on the farm and after they married, Chris began helping Fred on the family farm where they raised their two sons. They were able to work together until Fred's death at which time Chris took on the complete operations of the farm. He proudly managed the farm until 2017 when his health began to decline. After renting out the acres for a few years, Chris and Sandy sold the farm and moved to Moorhead to make their home.

Farming was Chris' true passion, but he was also fond of automotive work and restoration. From the young age of 12 when he took apart his first car and put it back together to working for Ronnie Peterson at age 14 until recent years of collaborating with his sons and brothers-in-law, Brian and Keith, on many projects, Chris loved fixing and tinkering on cars. He owned and restored several classic muscle cars. He and Sandy would often go treasure hunting for an old hunk of iron to fix up; he worked on the engine and body, and Sandy did the interior in addition to waxing and buffing, together turning it back into a beautiful masterpiece. Chris also enjoyed watching the RedHawks baseball team with family and friends in Fargo. He would fondly recall being at the championship winning game in 2022 which would remain a popular conversation piece ever since. Over the years, he was an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as Trustee, Deacon and serving in other various roles in the church. He was on the Elevator Board and Township Board for several years and currently still serving on the Scandia Cemetery Board.

Chris is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Moorhead; sons, Robert Mjelde also of Moorhead and Tanner (Jocey Hams) Mjelde of Fargo, ND; two brothers, Mike (Vicki) Mjelde of Winona, MN, and Ritch (Luanne) Mjelde of Willmar, MN; one sister, Teresa Billing of Fertile, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law: Linda (Mark) Engelstad of Minneapolis, MN, Julie (Wayne) Oertwich of Crookston, MN, Larry Ose Jr. of rural Hawley, MN, Brian (Nicole) Ose of Mahnomen, MN, and Keith (Angie) Ose of Harwood, ND; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Maurice and Deloris; step-father, Fred; in-laws, Larry and Clarice Ose; brother-in-law, Sherm Billing; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Doak and Kathy Ose; brother-in-law, Gary Doak; nephew, Christopher Doak; niece, Ashley Oertwich and a great nephew, Bohdi Billing.

Blessed be the memory of Christopher Mjelde.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Beltrami, MN. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.