![]() Marilyn “Jacki” Halldorson, 80, of Mountain, ND, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain Community Center, Mountain, ND. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mountain Community Center. Marilyn was born January 24, 1943, at Park River, ND, to Anton and Mabel (Svir) Budish. Marilyn, known as Jacki, shared only a few weeks ago how her nickname originated. Her childhood best friend and neighbor growing up was named Jack. They were always together, so they were referred to as Jack and Jacki. She met William Halldorson at the movie theater. When he saw her for the first time, he said "I'm going to marry her!" They were married on September 24, 1958. They loved to travel and had been on several cruises and toured the United States, Mexico, Iceland, and Canada. Through their 64 years together they had three boys and three girls. Her love for her children was shown through her compassion, care, and her unceasing efforts to give them the best possible life. Jacki was a hairdresser for several years and loved meeting and talking with her customers. Jacki served her community by working at Borg, where she was an activity director, beautician, and cook. She led a fundraiser to purchase a van for Borg residents. She was a volunteer with the Mountain Quick Response, President of the LCW, a foster parent, and worked with Thrivent where she coordinated several fundraisers. She was always willing to step in and help wherever she could. She also played an important role in registering Vikur Lutheran Church in the National Registry of Historical Buildings. Jacki was assertive and inquisitive. She never settled for "good enough"; everything had to be perfect. She cared deeply about everyone she met, and she would often ask about their lives so she could pray for them and send them gifts. She touched so many lives, and she always knew when someone needed help. She would give money to strangers, give hugs to those who looked sad, and offer comforting words to those who were down. She was full of positivity and inspiration, and she shared it with everyone she met, whether it was a cashier, a clerk, or a friend. She just knew how to make someone smile. Jacki is survived by her husband, William; children: Shelly Dubourt, Wendy Thronsedt, Tamy “TJ” (Ron) Cardino, Billy Halldorson; grandchildren: Shaun (Bonnie) Reimer, Bryce Reimer, Tyler Reimer (Jessica Bohn), Alex (Haley) Dubourt, Melissa Vatnsdal (John Wentzlaff), Toni Thronsedt (Stephen Sanford), Cody Thronsedt (Brooke Eagan), Will Halldorson, Marcus Halldorson; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Mark Wayne and Anton William; and sister, Darlene.
0 Comments
![]() Hazel Tabu Ranta, age 33 of Grafton, ND, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Sanford Hospital of Fargo after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Friday, August 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Grafton Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery. ![]() Elton Jearl Brekke, age 90, of Grafton, ND passed away Saturday July 22, 2023 with family by his side. He was born May 12, 1933 in Grafton to John and Tilda (Strand) Brekke. Elton attended the rural Sinkler School and graduated from Grafton High School. He went on to serve in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge in 1956, he returned home and farmed with his father. He was united in marriage to Eileen Gjerstad on June 14, 1958 at Grafton Lutheran Church. Elton and Eileen enjoyed winters RVing and upon their retirement from farming in 1996, they split their time between their home on the Rainy River in Baudette, MN and their home in Yuma, AZ. They eventually became permanent residents of Arizona and remained there until their recent return to Grafton, at which time Elton became a resident at the Lutheran Sunset Home. Elton enjoyed spending time with his family, watching Westerns, fishing on Lake of the Woods, NASCAR, and his beloved mini-dachshunds. He is survived and will be missed greatly by his wife Eileen; children: Jenny (Greg) Baumgartner, Shelly (Jerry) Bell, Carol Brekke, Leslie Brekke, Elton (Karen) Brekke; grandchildren: Jesse (Mackenzie) Suda, Shae Suda, Ryan (Chelsea) Baumgartner, Emily (Andrew) Allen, Jacob Brekke and eight great-grandchildren. Elton was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Lillian Larson and Arvil Brekke, and infant great-grandson Alexander Suda. A private ceremony and burial were held July 28, 2023 at South Trinity Lutheran Church. Military rites were provided by the Grafton American Legion. Memorials preferred to the Lutheran Sunset Home or Park River Bible Camp. ![]() Mary Jane Tollefson, age 89, of Park River, ND passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Home in Park River, ND. Mary Jane was born on December 4, 1933 in the farmhouse of the Modin farm between Olso and Alvarado, MN. She was the only daughter of Emil and Signe Modin Kalgard. She attended school at a country grade school located ½ mile from the Kalgard farm in Dundee Township, north of Park River, where she spent much of her early years. She attended Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River, ND. She was quite involved with extracurricular activities, such as sports and band. She played saxophone and piano. She later learned to play the organ. Following high school graduation in 1951, she married Harold Flaten at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Park River. They both attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in California prior to returning to the Kalgard farm to work with Emil, prior to his retirement. Mary Jane and Harold had four children: Stephen, Mark, Janelle and Robert. Mary Jane loved people and had various ways of connecting with the community: Homemakers Club, Bible study and prayer groups, attended various school activities that her children were involved in, and she sold Avon products. She was an avid gardener, a talented seamstress and china painter. She also worked as a CNA for several years at the Lutheran Sunset Nursing Home in Grafton, ND. Her husband Harold died in 1969. In 1971, she moved to Zion Harbor, a Christian Bible Camp in Minnesota, connected with Daystar Ministries. She married Duane Tollefson in 1974. They were blessed with a daughter named Deborah. Duane and Mary Jane moved off the farm and into Park River in 2008. They also lived in Finley with Mark and Carol Flaten for almost a year, starting in 2013. In 2014, they moved to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Park River, where they received loving care in their final years. Mary Jane is survived by her sons, Rev. Mark (Carol) Flaten, Finley, ND; Robert (Sandy) Flaten, Park River, ND, and her daughter; Deborah (Ross) Manni, Star Prairie, WI, son in law, Brian Bordon; grandchildren: Joy Solano, Anna Lassonde, Sarah McKay, Rachel Trottier; Stephanie Hawkins; Sean Misner; Britta & Jaxon Manni; 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Signe Kalgard, her husbands, Harold Flaten and Duane Tollefson, son, Stephen Flaten; daughter, Janelle Bordon, and granddaughter, Elisabeth Flaten. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Victory Free Lutheran Church in Park River, ND. Visitation will be one hour before at the church. Interment will be at Edmore Cemetery, Edmore, ND. ![]() Isabel J. Niswonger, age 95 of Minto, ND passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Essentia Hospital of Fargo from complications arising from a stroke. Isabel J. Gerszewski was born January 20, 1928 in Walshville Township, Walsh County, ND, the daughter of the late August Gerszewski and Bernice (Greevers) Walski. She attended the schools in Warsaw. Isabel was united in marriage to Clarence Niswonger on October 17, 1951 in Warsaw, ND. Isabel was employed by Ann and Lorry’s Dress Shop in 1961 until it closed in the 1980’s. She was self-employed as a seamstress and bun maker. She altered dance costumes for the PNA, prom dresses, wedding dresses, plus countless other garments for people. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society, the Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart Society, the Degree of Honor and the Minto American Legion Auxiliary. She was a past member of Benefit Bridge Club. Isabel loved spending time in her garden. Isabel is survived by her children: William (Gloria) Niswonger, Mariette (Melton) Flores, Gary Niswonger and Peggy Niswonger; daughter-in-law: Mardell Niswonger; grandchildren: Chad Niswonger, Scott (Anita) Niswonger, Jonathan (Jessica) Niswonger, Melissa Yeakley, Megan Flores, Marlee Flores, Jason Klava, Jeremy (Collette) Adamsen and Mandi (Jamie) Robinson; great-grandchildren: Lauren Yeakley, Alex, Max and Jax Robinson, Davis and Dex Adamsen, Trevor and Trenton Klava; sister-in-law, Betty Novak; nieces and nephews: Mark (Estelle) Korczak, Tom (Pat) Korczak; Andrew (Jackie) Korczak, Kathy (Raymond) Korynta, Michael Walski and Mary (Mike) Dvorak. She was preceded in death by her father, August; mother, Bernice; step-father, Max Walski; husband, Clarence; infant son, John; daughter, LuAnn Jacobson; son-in-law, Don Jacobson; son, Dale Niswonger; brothers: Henry Gerszewski and Ernest Walski; sister, Leona Korczak and niece, MaryJo Gerszewski. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, July 10, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Warsaw, ND. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 – 10:30 A.M. at the church. Interment will be at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Fund. |
ObituariesTo place an Obituary contact us at Archives
February 2025
Categories |