Lucille Tangedahl

Lucille Tangedahl, 84, died September 6, 2006, at a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 9, at First Baptist Church in Bismarck. Lucille Swedlund Tangedahl was born on July 11, 1922, in Minot, to Clarence and Lydia Lorentzen Swedlund. She lived with her parents and her younger brother, Bud, in Lunds Valley, ND, where her dad managed the Farmers Elevator. She loved to play "school" with neighbor children, always playing the part of the "teacher" which was her lifelong ambition. She also played softball, and her peers appreciated her ability. Lucille graduated as valedictorian from high school in 1939. She went on to Minot State where she first received her Standard Teaching Certificate, and later she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in special education and elementary education. When World War II started, Lucille and Thor Tangedahl were married. She followed him to his assignments in Georgia and at the Pentagon. When he left for overseas, she returned to her parents' home where their son, Tim, was born. During those two years, Lucille was invited to teach seventh, eighth, and ninth grades - an opportunity she appreciated. When Thor came home from service, they moved to Minneapolis, where he completed a master's degree in social work. They moved to Center, where he served several counties. Their second son, Lee, was born during this year. In 1948, they moved to Bismarck, which has been their home ever since. Their third son, Guy, was born to them in Bismarck. Once again, Lucille was invited to teach, this time a special education classroom, which she taught for 17 years. These were the early days of special education and her supervisor commended her for planning individual students' goals and objectives - long before they became required. She received an award from the Council for Exceptional Children and was also a "Gold Award" recipient. She concluded teaching with several years in third grade, and upon retirement, her principal awarded her a plaque labeled "To a Master Teacher." She taught with grace and dignity, and cared deeply for students and parents alike. She spent her retirement years enjoying people: her church, family, neighbors and friends. As long as she was able, she loved to cook and bake and share. Since 2003, Thor and Lucille lived at the Waterford, where her smile and kind greetings were well received. She is survived by her husband, Thor; two sons and their wives, Lee and Mary Jane, Missoula, MT, and Guy and Brenda, Bismarck; her grandchildren, Katrina Jim Fairchild, Maria Damien Fitzpatrick, Joshua Tangedahl, Amy Jo Tangedahl, Eric Tangedahl, Amy Lynn Tangedahl, PJ Amanda Tangedahl, and Tyler Tangedahl Lacy Pruitt; and her great-grandchildren, Kolby Fairchild, Coy and Journey Fitzpatrick, and Anna Lucille Tangedahl. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bud; and her son, Tim. She was loved and will be greatly missed by her family and all whose lives she touched.

Lucille Tangedahl

July 11, 1922 - September 6, 2006