Ilyne Alice (Olson) Struthers

Ilyne Struthers, 83, of Bemidji died Thursday, October 31, 2019 surrounded by family at Rosewood Home in Bemidji.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Evangelical Free Church, Bemidji with Pastor Fred Martin officiating.  Visitation will be one half hour before the service at church.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Warroad, MN at 3:30 p.m., Monday, November 11, 2019.

Ilyne Alice Olson Struthers was born in Warroad, MN on May 31, 1936.  She grew up in Warroad, graduating from Warroad High School in 1954.  Ilyne married Malcolm Struthers in August of 1954.  They had three children, Malcolm (Rusty) Russell Jr., Gale and Holly.  Ilyne accepted the Lord in her early 30's and from then on, her relationship with the Lord guided her actions and decisions.

Ilyne was involved in family businesses most of her adult life.  Her family started Struthers Building Mart in Centuria, WI.  She wanted a new adventure, so she decided to fill a need in Centuria by starting Variety Village.  Ilyne always wanted to move back to her hometown, Warroad, MN.  In 1976, the family packed up Variety Village and moved it to Warroad.  Ilyne was very involved in Women's Aglow.  She moved to Bemidji and attended Oak Hills Bible Institute.  Ilyne was prompted by the Lord to buy the Christian bookstore in Bemidji, which then became Rainbow Gift & Book Shoppe.  In the late 1990's she opened Ilyne's Lake Boulevard Inn.  She eventually sold her two businesses and retired.  During her time in Bemidji, Ilyne was an active board member of the Housing Redevelopment Authority.  Her passions in life were serving her Lord through business, being involved in her church, cultivating beautiful flowers, and spending time with family and friends.

The family has greatly appreciated the excellent care she received during the final years of her life at Rosewood Eldercare, owned by Cathy Rose.

Ilyne is preceded in death by her parents Edwin & Bertha Holmes Olson, an infant brother and her son Malcolm (Rusty) Struthers Jr.  She is survived by her daughters Gale Struthers, Holly (LaDon) Howes, Kimberly Cerven all of Bemidji, and Susan (David) Helweg of Warroad.  Grandchildren Michelle (Allen) Butler, Joshua (Laura) Helweg, James (Savannah) Helweg, Michael (Daniella) Helweg, Jonathan (Calah) Helweg, Hannah (Adam) Moyer, Paul (Kjerstin) Helweg, Stephen (Rylie) Helweg, Josiah Helweg, MaryGrace Helweg and Isaac Helweg; Kianna, Isaiah, Mikah, Megan, Daniel and Malkia Kate Cerven along with 18 great-grandchildren.

Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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