Idella Svendsgaard

Idella Mae Svendsgaard, 80, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. She was born August 7, 1930, in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, the daughter of Harry and Hilda (Wahl) Marquardt. She grew up near Erhard, and was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Her family later moved to the Vergas area where she was confirmed. As a young woman she lived in Pelican Rapids where she worked at a soda shop. On August 20, 1950, she married James Svendsgaard at St. Paul Loon Lake Church in Vergas, and they made their home in Fergus Falls. She raised eight children, and enjoyed being a homemaker. When her children were older she was a playground supervisor at McKinley Elementary School. She later worked as a store clerk for Falls Drugstore, then at “Pixie Creations” in downtown Fergus Falls. She also was employed as a nurse’s aid at the Broen Home and was a private caregiver as well. Idella was a frequent participant at the county fair, and one year she won blue ribbons and grand champion ribbons for all her entries. In addition she loved handiwork, sewing Barbie clothes, quilting, and ceramics. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, James, in 2007; two sons, Scott and Richard; and a brother, Gerald Marquardt. Survivors include six children: Larry (Doreen) of Fredericksburg, VA, Dale (Bev) of Fergus Falls, Marybeth Potts of Wheaton, MN, Roger (Rachael), and Paul of Fergus Falls, and Kristi Ulland of Fergus Falls, MN; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Howard Marquardt of Montana; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 1 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2011, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Kate Bruns Interment: Tonseth Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erhard, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota