Jane Anundsen Bullard

Monday, February 15, 2021 12:51 pm

Jane Katherine Anundsen Bullard, 87, passed away in the early morning of Feb. 13, 2021. Over the past several months she dealt with a series of health issues with quiet courage and grace, including finally, COVID-19. She had most recently been a resident at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.

Memorial services be later in the spring at Decorah Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA 52101, Winneshiek Medical Center Auxiliary, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101, or the Nordic Fest, P.O. Box 364, Decorah, IA 52101.

Jane was born on March 6, 1933 to Brynjolf Bjorkholt Anundsen (B.B.) and Doris Ellen (Killen) Anundsen in Decorah. Jane graduated from Decorah High School then went on to the University of Iowa where she graduated with a degree in sociology in 1955. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and also the Iowa Highlanders drum and bag pipes corps.Jane married James Allen Bullard on September 4, 1954 in the yard at her parent’s house in Decorah. They lived in Iowa City, Iowa, Detroit, Michigan, and Nuremberg, Germany while James finished medical school and served in the Army. Their first son, Bruce James, was born in Detroit Sept. 17, 1956, their second son, Bradley John, was born in Nuremberg, Germany March 8, 1958 and their daughter, Beth Jane was born in Decorah on Aug. 8, 1960.

Following those travels, Jim and Jane moved back to Decorah to start their lives together. While Jim grew his medical practice, Jane started the daunting challenge of being a loving wife and mother of three children, while excelling at being a trusted friend to many, and valued andenthusiastic member of the community. Jane was the consummate mother who was instrumental in allowing her children to grow up in an idyllic life situation. She was involved in PTA, she was a Cub Scout den mother, part of the Decorah Kilties auxiliary, Winneshiek CountyHospital Auxiliary, a member of Monday Club, and served on the Nordic Fest board, including being chairperson in 1991.

Jane pursued her interest in art by taking classes at Luther College, learning rosemaling and creating stained glass pieces. Her talents in the kitchen were alsoenjoyed by many as Jim and Jane enjoyed entertaining friends with memorable gatherings that filled their home with laughter.Jane led her family into activities by example. She was an avid skier, golfer (who had a hole-in-one at Oneota Golf & Country Club on hole #11), backpacker, tennis player and bicyclist. Jane and Jim and the kids travelled extensively, usually to go skiing or backpacking, and almost always to the mountains. For decades, they had a vacation home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado which became a continual source of togetherness for the family and created the opportunity to develop many deep and valued friendships. There was never a bigger smile than first tracks under a bluebird sky on a powder day. Jim and Jane were both certified scuba divers and did many ocean dives.

Jane was preceded in death by her brother Jack Anundsen on July 25, 2019 and their parents, Brynjof Bjorkholt Anundsen on August 8, 1984 and Doris Ellen (Killen) Anundsen on Sept. 4, 1986.

Jane is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. James Allen Bullard, and their children: Bruce Bullard and his wife Cindy Bullard of Kirkland, WA; Dr. Brad Bullard and his wife Dr. Alicia Bullard of Winona, MN and their two children Dr. Christopher and Cassandra; and Beth Knudsen and her husband Dr. Scott Knudsen of Lake City, MN and their two children Steven and Michelle.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com