Gail M. Tysdal

Gail M. Tysdal, age 78, of Fergus Falls, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at LB Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

Gail was born May 17, 1938, to Lloyd and Viola (Williams) West of Underwood, MN. Gail and her sister Barb grew up on a farm south of Underwood where she graduated from the Underwood High School in 1956. After high school, she moved to Minneapolis and went to work for a few years.
On October 18, 1958, Gail was united in marriage to Carlton Tysdal at the Alliance Church in Battle Lake. They lived and worked together on their dairy farm northeast of Fergus Falls. Gail also worked at the Broen Memorial Home in the dietary department, retiring as the Dietary Manager in 2001 after 25 years. Gail continued to volunteer at the Broen Home making lefse and goodies for residents to enjoy at Christmas and other occasions. Gail and Carlton were members of Zion Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls where she sang in the choir, led Sunday School, was active in ladies circle and was faithful to serve her church. When their children joined 4-H, she took on the role of club leader for a number of years, as well as coach of the Fergus 4-H softball team and co-managed the 4-H Food Stand at the County Fair.

Gail loved life and lived life surrounding herself with her family and a host of friends. She enjoyed entertaining and was quick to make a pan of bars as soon as company drove in the yard. Gail was a perpetual planner of fun; she often was planning the next event before the current one was complete. She appreciated and admired flowers, stopping at every greenhouse in the spring, collecting geraniums and petunias. Grandma Gail rarely missed a program or event that any of her grandchildren took part in. Gail was always ready to help friends, watch the grandkids or even chase cattle if needed.

Gail's kind, generous, loving and happy-go-lucky disposition stayed with her throughout her life, even during the recent years of Alzheimer’s Disease. Gail gave love to all and was the recipient of love from all who called her friend, sister, aunt, wife, Mom and Grandma.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlton (2000); granddaughter, Mallory Tysdal (1992); her father, Lloyd (1994); her mother, Viola (2001); and brother-in-law, Ernie Johnson (2007).
Gail is survived by her children, Wanda Holt (Jim Otto) of Pelican Rapids, Keith (Kathryn) Tysdal, Daryl (Marie) Tysdal, and Andrea (Greg) Zetah, all of Fergus Falls; her grandchildren, Zackary (Joanna) Tysdal; Jesse (Molly) Tysdal, Hannah Holt, Connor (Janelle Beske) Holt; Leah, Andrew, Eric and Abby Tysdal; and Carlana and Zayna Zetah; her sister, Barb Johnson of Cottage Grove; her special friend, Don Sorben of Fergus Falls; 5 great grandchildren; 2 nieces and a nephew.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, with a public prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Service: 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Chaplain Caleb Larson
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN