Ingrid Thvedt

Ingrid Anne Thvedt passed away on October 8, 2026, surrounded by friends and family, in a beautiful, peaceful place. She was 37 years old.

Ingrid was born in Oakland, California in 1989. Growing up in San Leandro, CA, she enjoyed hopping around and singing in the backyard as a young girl, and later, as she grew older, taking long walks or runs in the beautiful San Leandro and Oakland hills. For many years, she enjoyed being a part of the local summer swimming team, "The Drowning Darryls." A talented musician and singer, Ingrid played viola and participated in musical theatre at Bancroft Middle School. She played the role of “the pea” in “Once Upon a Mattress,” and “Maria” in “The Sound of Music.” She attended Bishop O'Dowd High School and was involved in many clubs and activities, including cross-country, swimming, and the environmental club, which one year invited Jane Goodall to speak at the school. She went on to attend The College of Wooster in Ohio where she majored in German and Physics and graduated with a B.A. in 2011. During her junior year she studied abroad in Munich, Germany.

Post college, Ingrid moved to Taiwan and taught STEM subjects to middle and high school students for three years. Ingrid maintained a passion for traveling, languages and trying new foods throughout her life. Spicy Asian foods and decadent cheesecakes were her favorites. Hot sauces and crushed red pepper flakes were a must-have topping on most of the foods she ate. She always hoped to visit Taiwan again.

Upon leaving Taiwan, Ingrid decided to give East Coast living a try and moved to Brooklyn, New York. She continued working with young people in NYC. One of her most rewarding jobs she held was there, working for a foster care agency helping foster kids navigate high school and prepare for college. During her time in the NYC area, she completed a Master's of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering at the City College of New York. Other jobs she held included a fun part-time job at a brewery and working at a bank in the area. Eventually she began a career as a financial analyst and executive for a start-up fashion company. Her role in that company enabled her to work remotely so she relocated to Minneapolis in 2021 to be closer to her family.

Ingrid quickly fell in love with her new home and declared more than once that Minneapolis was the best city in the United States. She loved the abundance of parks and trails in the Twin Cities metro area and biked or walked or jogged them regularly. She rediscovered her deep Midwestern roots and reconnected to her Lutheran heritage in Minnesota. The local arts and culture also inspired her, especially the independent film scene. She was excited about the authentic Hispanic, Thai and East African foods that abound here. Complex tater tot dishes also made her happy. Quickly after she moved to Minneapolis, she met the love of her life, Jason, who remained by her side through every twist and turn of whatever came their way.

Ingrid lived with cancer for six years after her diagnosis in 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, shortly after she and Jason bought their first home together, she learned her cancer had progressed to stage IV. She was determined she would continue to live her life with hope and optimism and to do as much as she could to create the life she wanted for herself and her partner. She travelled whenever she could, and always had a trip to look forward to. She visited California, Florida and Alaska, and completed a ten-day walking tour of Scotland with friends, where along the way, they all swooned over the shaggy sheep and highland cattle they encountered. In the fall of 2025, shortly after starting a new chemo regimen, Ingrid and her friends walked the entire 10-mile race of the Twin Cities marathon.

Ingrid created an instagram account, "ingridscancerjourney" to share her experiences, educate and raise awareness of cancer-related issues. She felt it her mission to advocate for a better healthcare system that all could access. She was passionate about that and often thought about ways to expand and continue that important work in the future. She was invited to speak publicly at philanthropic events for health care organizations. In 2024 she gave a talk in Hastings, MN about her positive experiences and excellent care at City of Hope, a cancer treatment hospital in the Chicago area. She was a warm, loving and charismatic person, and people who met her were impressed by her determination, composure and grace in the face of such a challenging health journey. Her encouraging positivity and bright outlook on life inspired so many in person and online. She strived to be the best person, friend and Christian that she could be, and made fulfilling friendships everywhere she went.

Ingrid was a voracious reader, and devoured 2 -3 books almost every week, frequently walking to the library to return or check out new books. She did not tolerate endless scrolling on streaming platforms and thoroughly enjoyed spooky films, cooking shows and nature documentaries. She became an arts and craft enthusiast while living in Minnesota and made felt ornaments and other items for family and friends for Christmas and birthdays. She learned to paint, embroider, cross-stitch and also took pottery classes at White Bear Center of the Arts. She perpetually schemed about ways to expand her urban homestead whether it was gardening, raising chickens, planting fruit trees or cultivating mushrooms. Ultimately, she dreamed of moving off-the-grid with her partner, having children and creating a stable of fat farm animals.

When people remember Ingrid they remember her beauty and intelligence, her passion and unique way of looking at the world, her love of nature, her appetite for delicious food, her infectious laughter and how fun she was to be around. And many have said, most of all, her gorgeous smile.

Ingrid was preceded in death by her grandparents, James and Gloria Thvedt, Melvin Rice and Susan Bennett, as well as an uncle, Joel Thvedt. Ingrid is survived by her parents, Rebecca and James Thvedt, her siblings, Ben Thvedt, Michael Thvedt, Alison Balcom (Brian), and Emma Thvedt, as well as her beloved partner Jason Hagemeier and their fabulous large white cat, Sammie.

There is no funeral service planned at this time. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date to friends and family. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Ingrid adamantly requested that people redirect that initiative and make plans to do the things in their life that they have always dreamt of doing. Above all, Ingrid wanted people to live their lives to the fullest! Donations can be made in her name to: City of Hope Cancer Center in Chicago, Friends of Roseville Parks, White Bear Center for the Arts, and Our Lady Of Peace Hospice and Home Health Care in St. Paul, MN.