Fern Fordahl

Fern L. Fordahl, 97, Bismarck, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, October 26, 2008. In her final days she was able to have many grand and great grandchildren spend time with her. They all talked to her about the annual lefse party and they think she kindly waited until they had finished. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at the Baptist Home, Bismarck, with Rev. Clyde Zimbelman officiating. Burial will be in the Concordia Cemetery, Crosby. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the Baptist Home. Fern was born March 19, 1911, in Divide County, ND, the daughter of Henry and Annie Olson Lohse. On January 17, 1928, she married Oliver Fordahl and they had 13 children. Oliver died in 1953 and she was left to raise the last eight children. In June of 1988 she moved to Bismarck, entering the Baptist Home in February 2000. As a child she loved being outdoors tending to the animals and doing field work. As a homemaker, gardening was one of her favorite activities, and canning seemed never ending, everyone loved her cooking. Embroidering was her favorite hobby and most of her family has at least one memento. For years her home was the place to be on Saturday afternoons to visit the “out of towner” relatives. Fern was able to be out and about all those years until August of this year. She was able to travel for sometime and visited all of her children and got to know the extended family. She could recall all the animals encountered on those trips. Fern can claim 13 children, 37 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren, with the newest one being born just three days before her passing. She is survived by her daughters, Olive John Patton of Union City, CA, Florence Richard Gumke of Sultan, WA, Jeanette Hansen of Crosby, ND, Emily Milbert Boschee of Bismarck, ND, Lois Roden of Knoxville, AR, Juanita Wilhelmi of Silver Springs, NV, and Patricia Fordahl of Minot, ND; her sons, Robert Fordahl of Hayward, CA, and Lowell Fordahl of Everett, WA; and her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Carmen and Eileene; two sons, Leroy and Clifford; two granddaughters and one grandson; her husband; parents; one brother and three sisters. She will be dearly missed by all.

Fern Fordahl

March 19, 1911 - October 26, 2008