Ena Mae Bjorum Kulas was born on February 26, 1924 in the dining room of the family home. A room reserved for special meals and the birth of babies. Her parents were Elise Jentoft and Carl Bjorum, both from Norway. She passed away peacefully, with her children at her side, on March 3rd, five days after her 98th birthday. She was the youngest of 6 children and lived the longest. She went from the baby to the matriarch.

She grew up on 12th Avenue in Two Harbors, Minnesota. She married Donald (Blackie) Kulas in 1946 and had two children (Lisa and Jim). In 1957 she moved out of her childhood home to the shore of Lake Superior. There they built a house and raised their children. Countless hours were spent having coffee, watching boats go by and enjoying the many moods of the lake. In 1948 they purchased land on Bassett Lake for $100 and built a summer cabin which ultimately became a year round residence. It was her favorite place.

She loved the outdoors and being around water. Birds were her special friends, especially chickadees. She enjoyed traveling, much by motorhome, and had visited all 50 states with multiple trips to Alaska – her favorite. She made two trips two Norway to visit relatives and see where her mother and father were from. She loved all things Norwegian. Although primarily a homemaker she worked several jobs which including a Rosie-the-Riveter job with the railroad, a census taker (lots of stories there), a bookkeeper for her husband’s ready mix business and as a secretary for a dentist. There was also a stint at Jeno’s pizza. She loved to read, could work crossword puzzles with the best of them and never gave up on the Vikings. She stayed close to her family and friends and adored her grandchildren. She could always be counted on to look after them and spent many a day with them. She enjoyed visiting her children after they left Minnesota. She was a bonafide chocoholic and would say; “if there isn’t chocolate in heaven, I’m not going”.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, four brothers (Henry, John, Arthur and Earl) and one sister (Margaret), husband (Donald) and a granddaughter (Jennifer Bracey).

She is survived by her daughter Lisa Hoganson (Marty), a son Jim Kulas (Elka) four grandchildren Lori Norberg (Rich), Lee Hoganson (DeJenae), Josh Kulas (Sandra) and Jana Kulas (John). Tommy Bracey (Jennifer) and three great grandchildren (Parker, Lucy and Daisy).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Aftenro care facility for the excellent and friendly care provided during her last five years. Staff and residents were like a family to her.

A special service will be held next summer in Two Harbors. In lieu of flowers please plant a tree –preferably a “Norway” pine.