obituary/Lorelei “Lori” Evelyn Bothum, 84

Lorelei “Lori” Evelyn Bothum of Fargo, ND (formerly Karlstad, MN) passed into the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 10, 2026.  Those who knew her will always remember her for her fierce and loving spirit -- someone who was always eager to entertain a good, hard belly laugh.

Lori was born on July 2, 1941, to Elmer and Mary Lou (Kimbrough) Hageland in Karlstad, MN.  She graduated from Karlstad High School in 1959. After graduating from high school, she moved to Minneapolis, MN, and was blessed with her firstborn, Kelly.  

While visiting family in Karlstad, she attended a dance at the Florian Hall, where she met a charming man from her high school whom she “knew of” but never interacted with while in school.  Shortly after, she was united in marriage to this gentleman, Larry Bothum, on August 1, 1970, and they spent the next 50 years together.   
Although she didn’t ever picture herself living on a farm (again), she was an amazing mother and wife who wore many hats, including cooking and delivering food to workers in the field, calling on neighbors weekly to write a Springbrook township “happenings” column, baking and decorating cakes for every occasion, selling her stylish Fashion Wagon clothing or Tupperware, participating in the famous Swinging B’s bowling team, and serving as a member and volunteer at First Lutheran Church, as well as a home health aide - all while being a present mom in the home to her three children:  Kelly Kostalowitz Poole, Trisha (Kevin) Register, and Ryan (Mandi) Bothum. When her children were a little older, she took on a full-time job at the North Star News as a columnist and editor.  We can only imagine she’s reading this now and ensuring everything is spelled and punctuated correctly.  She was an avid reader who went through innumerable punch cards at the local bookmobile.
In November of 2013, Lori and Larry moved from the farm in Karlstad to Fargo, ND.  In Fargo, Lori was able to attend several of her grandchildren’s sporting events, choir concerts, and other milestones along with spending time at her happy place on Lake Melissa.  Her face always lit up when she saw her first great grandchild, Isaiah.
Lori is survived by her children; brothers, Curtis (Mary Ann) Hageland and Michael (Jeannette) Hageland; sister, Carolyn Hageland; sisters-in-law, Mary (Glen) Spilde, Tammy Hageland and Becky Bothum; special aunt, Annette Hageland; grandchildren, Sarah Poole, Nick Poole, Alex Poole, Emma (Griffin) Krabbenhoft, Olivia (Carson) Rohrich, Kora Bothum, Maximillian Marcil, and Greta Bothum; and great grandchild, Isaiah Shilow Poole, along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in the death by her parents, husband, brother, Barry Hageland, and brothers-in-law, Mark Bothum and Alton Bothum.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Karlstad, MN. Visitation will be held in the church for an hour before the service. The service will be live streamed on First Lutheran Church's Facebook page. Arrangements by Austin Funeral Home, Hallock.