Mildred Offerdahl

Mildred Offerdahl age 92, of Mahnomen, MN died Friday, September 28, 2007, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home due to complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, Detroit Lakes. Mildred Offerdahl was born March 23, 1915 in Ada, MN. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Ed and Jesse(Jenkins) Carman. Mildred grew up on a dairy farm, and graduated from Ada High School in 1932. She graduated from Normal Training in 1933. She received her lifetime teaching certificate by attending classes and summer school at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN. On June 9, 1938, Mildred married Carl Offerdahl of Borup, MN. They farmed in Borup until they moved to their farm east of Mahnomen in 1950, where she resided until moving to town in 2006. Carl and Mildred enjoyed old time dancing, square dancing, and playing whist and cribbage. Mildred taught at two Norman County rural schools prior to marriage. Rainbow School near Faith and Bloomfield School. After moving to Mahnomen she taught at Hart, Antell, and Naytahwaush Schools, and for twenty-five years at St. Michael's Catholic School in Mahnomen. Education, teaching, and her students were extremely important to Mildred. Mildred had a deep faith and was active in the Catholic Church. She was a charter member in the Christian Mothers Organization holding various offices; was hostess at the fall festival; taught religion classes; and was a lector, communion distributor, sacristan, and liturgy scheduler. She loved to watch the birds during her prayer time every morning on the farm. Mildred was active in the community and gave freely of her time. Many volunteer hours were spent visiting with the residents of the Mahnomen Health Care Center, Valley View Commons, and befriending people in the community. They all had a special place in her heart. Mildred wrote the Chief-Rosedale News for the Mahnomen Pioneer since 1951. She was honored recently by the Mahnomen Pioneer when she received the Half Century Club Award sponsored by the Minnesota Newspaper Association for working as a news correspondent for over fifty-five years. In 2004 she received a Golden Deeds Award sponsored by the Mahnomen Library Club. Mildred was an avid reader, gardener, a 4-H leader, and a member of the Pleasant Hour Homemakers. Mildred continued with her giving spirit following her death by donating her Central Nervous System Tissue and Blood to the University of Minnesota for ALS research. Mildred is survived by her five children: daughter, Carolyn Billing, Fergus Falls, MN; twin sons, Ed (Marlys) Offerdahl, Bonner's Ferry, ID; Chuck (Pat) Offerdahl, Sartell, MN; daughter, Lou (Pat) Doherty, Long Lake, MN; daughter, Midge (Al) Burmaster, Vancouver, WA; two sisters, Irene Maring, Moorhead, MN; Lorraine Flaskerud, Overland Park, KS. She is survived by twelve grandchildren: Mike (Sondra) Billing; Sheila Billing (Lonnie Peterson); Ann (James) Timmerman; Ellen Doherty; Emily (Cory) Johnson; Lisa (Perry) Brown; Dan, Kate, and Beth Offerdahl, and David, Mike, and Kristin Burmaster. Also the survivors include nine great grandchildren: Vince and Gabby Billing; Levi and Piper Peterson; Patrick, Maggie, and Kate Timmerman; and Tristan and Alex Johnson. Preceding her in death, were her husband, Carl in 1973; parents, Ed and Jessie Carman; sister, Lucille Offerdahl; son-in-law, Orelin Billing; and great granddaughter, Alissa Peterson.

Mildred Offerdahl

March 23, 1915 - September 28, 2007