Edith Lerfald

Edith Lerfald, 84, of Mayville, ND, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Union Hospital in Mayville, ND. Edith Tannahill Lerfald was born December 19, 1923 in Duluth, MN to John & Rena (Staveteig)Tannahill of rural Thompson, ND. Edith attended rural school in Allendale, graduating from Central High, along with working in the principal’s office. She attended Aaker’s Business School On Jan 18, 1942 she married her high school sweetheart Reuben Lerfald at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND. While Reuben was a pilot during World War II Edith worked at the Naval Supply Depot. Reuben & Edith returned to Hatton and farmed north of Mayville raising 10 children and enjoying 50 years of marriage. Edith was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, serving as the Church Historian, active in the Laidies Aid and Circle and Women’s Missionary Federation. She enjoyed working on several committees with the Hatton Eielson Museum, Cancer Research and the Goose River Heritage Board and was a member of the Mayville Women’s Club. She was a founding life long member of the Morgan Homemakers for over 60 years, 4-H leader, Farm Bureau Director, Mayville Sons of Norway and VFW Auxiliary. Along with her children she supported their many activities in FFA, FHA, music, band, sports, and Luther League. Edith’s leadership and active roles brought her much joy and fulfillment as she worked alongside many wonderful friends, neighbors and relatives of Morgan Township. Edith was rightfully honored as Mother of the Year in the State of ND in 1987. It was one of her most memorable awards as she fulfilled her life long career of being a wife and mother. Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben Lerfald, and her parents John & Rena (Staveteig) Tannahill, 3 sisters, Jean Busch, Virginia Smith, and June Hjarte, 1 brother, Jim Tannahill. She is survived by her sister, Gladys Schreiner, Mayville, ND, and her brother Bill (Dee)Tannahill, Kerrville, TX, sisters-in-laws Ann Tannahill of Los Angeles, CA, Oleen Lerfald Mayville,ND and Aagot (Jerry) Nysveen, Hillsboro, ND; step sisters-in-law: Marjorie Aasen, Eileen Amb and Solveig Hovland all from Mayville, ND; and her children: Daniel (Sharon) Lerfald, Fargo; Sidney (Libby) Lerfald, Charleston, WV; Lois (Greg) Welman, Arden Hills, MN; Arne (Cindy) Lerfald, White Bear Lake, MN; Arden Lerfald, Long Boat Key, FL; Evy (Jim) Schilling, Fargo; Cyndy (Michael) Holter, Plano TX; Neil (Kathy) Lerfald, Portland, ND; Sue (Greg) Grimstad, Lino Lakes, MN; Becky (Mark) Tastad, Montivedio, MN. She is the proud grandmother of 29 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren and many loved nieces and nephews. Edith loved her family and her community of friends and neighbors. She was a committed and devoted wife and mother and will truly be missed by us all. She lived her faith in God and through the good times and bad always took it one day at a time. Her strength and courage will be remembered by many as well as her leadership in the Mayville area. We thank God for her life and the incredible impact and role model that she was to us. FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, May 19, 2008 at 2:30 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Hatton, ND. VISITATION: Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 3-5 PM with a prayer service at 5 PM at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel, Mayville, ND, and one hour before the funeral service at the church. BURIAL: Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery.