A Living Legacy: Fjelstad Hall
Built in 1938, Fjelstad Hall, a dormitory for women, was dedicated to Fjelstad for her time at the college. Fjelstad retired from her matron position in 1921 and the school found a replacement. However, Fjelstad had left such a lasting impression on the school that they were unable to find a comparable replacement. Two years after her retirement she was asked to return and she stayed for another seven years.(15) Fjelstad attended the cornerstone laying for the Hall in 1937 but unfortunately became sick and died before the building was finished in 1938.(16)
During her time at Concordia, Fjelstad did more than make food and comfort homesick students. She also played the role of a nurse. In 1899 a typhoid outbreak hit Concordia hard, affecting many of the students and staff. With many students put on bed rest, Fjelstad took charge and made sure that every one who was ill had 3 hot meals a day, and offered her company at their bedsides. She offered the same services again in 1910 when a similar outbreak of scarlet fever hit the school.(17)