Mildred Skurdell

Mildred Skurdell, 98, of Northwood, ND passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:30a.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held Friday, March 14, 2014 from 6:00 to 7:00p.m. with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at the Bilden Funeral Home in Northwood. Arrangements made with Bilden Funeral Home, Northwood, ND.

Mildred was born on February 5, 1916 in Golden Lake Township, the youngest daughter of John and Marie (Hagen) Samnoen. She was baptized and confirmed at Little Forks Church, and graduated from Hatton High School.

In 1937, she received her 2 year elementary teaching certificate and diploma from Mayville College. She taught in Finley, rural Hillsboro, Dazey, and at Loretta Central School.

On August 31, 1941, Mildred married Ted Skurdell at Little Forks Church, rural Hatton,ND.

Living on the Skurdell home, she provided an open door, with “coffee and cookies”, where relatives were always welcome to come “home.”

Millie was always an active woman. She was busy with cooking for the farm, Bible study, homemakers, teaching Sunday School, 4H leader, and the Northwood Senior Center. She thoroughly enjoyed her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She always kept up with their activities.

Her mind was sharp as can be, probably from daily crosswords, jumbles, Wheel of Fortune, pinochle, whist, and her family favorite, spite and malice. Many nights, she would list the states and capitols until she fell asleep- even in her 90’s.

Millie was an active member of the West Union Church. She loved her heritage and visited her relatives in Norway three times. It was her tradition to sing the Norwegian prayer at every holiday meal, along with eating homemade lefsa, flatbread, and krumkake.

Ted and Millie made their home on their farm west of Northwood but they traveled a lot. One of her earliest trips was with her high school friend Madge (Evenson) Brekke. They went to the World’s Fair in New York and saw the premier of “The Wizard of Oz.” She got to see Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Mildred and Ted always made a point to taking their children on summer vacations. They usually went to a lake in Minnesota, but they also went to Canada, Yellowstone, and other places. Later, they went to Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. They spent many winters in Arizona or Florida.

Ted and Millie had five children. Two sons, Peter John, who was born on November 12, 1942 and passed away on July 25, 1945; and Paul Marcus, who was born on June 26, 1948 and died on August 21, 1950. They had three daughters: Linda Marie (Harvey) Braaten, Mary Ann (Kent) Charron, and Rita Emily (Tom) Schuster. Also surviving her are grandchildren: Suzy( James) Thorson, Jodee (Dan) Muus, Rachel Braaten, Jeff Braaten, Matt (Rowen) Schuler, Caitlin (Greg) Bergh, Ryan Schuster; Great-Grandchildren: Sara Thorson, Jenna Thorson, Nico Schuler, Kai Schuler, Brendan Muus, Alyssa Muus, and Bryce Muus.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Ted, parents, John and Marie Samnoen, children, Peter John Skurdell, and Paul Marcus Skurdell; Sisters: Martha (Austin) Braaten, Inga (Paul) Ewbank, Thea (Gilmore) Berge, and Gladys (Harry) Brager. Millie was the last surviving Aunt for both the Samnoen and Skurdell family. Also preceding her in death were Ted’s parents, Peter and Anna Skurdell, and Ted’s siblings: Clara (Martin) Draxton, Otto (Helga) Skurdahl, Iver Edward (Effie) Skurdell, Ida (Benny) Uglem, Alma (Ole) Engen, Nellie Pearl (Ross) Mutchler, Dagny (Oliver) Bilden, Peter Gilman Skurdell, Molly (Henry “Tot”) Forberg, Lillian Skurdell, and many dear nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

Ted’s nieces and nephews were just as special and important to her as her Samnoen ones.

Memorials are preferred to West Union Cemetery Fund or Northwood Senior Citizens Center.