Ann (Kozel) Lind

Ann Lind, 98, of Oslo, MN, died on Monday evening, September 26, 2022, in the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Larimore, ND.

Ann was born on April 10, 1924, in Grand Forks, ND, to Emil and Agnes (Gust) Kozel. She was raised on the family farm near Tabor, MN, where she grew up speaking Bohemian, and developing her love of cooking. She attended country school and then moved into East Grand Forks to attend Sacred Heart School. As a young woman she worked for SS Kresge Store, the forerunner of Kmart. On June 18, 1952, Ann was united in marriage to Arvine Ordean Lind, at Sacred Heart Church, East Grand Forks, MN. She and Ordean made their home on four different farms as their family grew, before settling southeast of Oslo where they worked alongside his brothers, Norris and Almore. During those years, Ann raised six children and worked hard to support the farm. She loved and took pride in washing the family's clothes and hanging them on the line outside. Her true gift was her cooking: everyone loved her delicious lunches for the field. She would even drive out to the field, pop open the trunk with hot food still in the kettles. She provided these lunches for her family and farmhands. For years mom worked for another farmer during potato harvest to support the family and treating herself to a much-needed new winter coat. Mom not only took care of the family, but made sure the hired hand and a landlord that lived with us were cared for. Holiday meals were prepared days in advance, Ann being the last to sit down to a feast she'd prepared with her “special touch.” Some of the special dishes were her potato dumplings and her Thanksgiving dressing- many wanted her recipe for it. She often stated that it was made by a little pinch of spices here and there and her secret ingredients.

She also had a way of making a person feel at ease. Ann was a great listener, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a social butterfly- though she might not admit it. Senior Meals in Alvarado were necessary events; even after she'd moved off the farm and into Grand Forks. She called Walmart and JC Penny’s her “second home,” though her best home was whatever one her children, grandchildren, and great-grandkids were in.

Ann's life could be summed up by three priorities: God, Family, and Food. She was a devout Catholic and educated her children in the faith; she was a loving and providing mother; and she loved food, serving others, and taking in as many restaurant birthday specials as she could handle, laughing and enjoying all day with family.
She will be greatly missed.

Ann is survived by her children, Carleen (Richard) Slyt of East Grand Forks, Maurice (Jody) Lind of Alvarado, MN, Scott (Theresa) Lind of Grand Forks, Cathy Lind of Minneapolis, MN, and Mary Lind of East Grand Forks; daughter-in-law, Joan Lind; six grandchildren. Jaime (Steven) Nelson, Eric Slyt, Katie (Samuel) Holte, Daniel Slyt, Brandi Lind-Pederson, and Michael (Adela) Wisk; thirteen great-grandkids, Joshua, Julia, and Josie Nelson, Ellie, Emma, Sophia, and Jackson Holte, and Mikey, Kaydence, Brennan, and Chestin Wisk, and Miles and Noah Lind-Pederson; and sister, Helen Haug.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ordean (Mar. 23, 2010); son, David (May 16, 2020); her parents; brothers, John, Emil Jr., Robert, George, and Ted (Ila Mae); sisters, Agnes (Donald) Kobetsky, and Mary Jane Kozel; and in-laws, Almore (Ila) Lind, Norris (Ilene) Lind, and Alda (LaRoy) Shane.
 

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, September 30, 2022, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oslo, MN.
VISITATION: Thursday, September 29, beginning at 5:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: Alongside her husband, Ordean, in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Oslo.