September 20, 2016

Lillian Quale

Lillian "Deedee" (Gunderson) was born at home at the Gunderson farm north of Watford City, on May 10, 1912; one month after the Titanic went down. She "went home to North Dakota" on Aug. 31, 2016, after 104 years, three months, and 21 days, having lived through world changing events - world wars, amazing inventions and discoveries.
She was the only one in her family of eight siblings who did not contract influenza in 1918, though all survived. She said her father, "T.O." Gunderson, owned the first car in McKenzie county. She rode her horse to teach at a one-room schoolhouse, and opened the Quale-T Beautyshop after she married Warner R. Quale. Warner and Deedee lived most of their married life in Bismarck, N.D., where they raised their family and welcomed grandchildren. Eventually, after Warner's death, she went to spend her last years with Wanda, who, with loving care nurtured her until her long burning light went out.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Warner, and stillborn great-grandson, Leif. Deedee was also preceded in death by her parents, T.O. and Gena Gunderson; brother, Edgar; sisters, Mabel, Myrtle and Jessie; and by the following siblings who raised their families in Watford City, Art Gunderson, Alice Sax and Cora Sanford.
She is survived by her sister, Edna "Lulu" Nordstrom, of Phoenix, Ariz.; three daughters, Brenda Foat, Paula (John) Swanson, and Wanda Quale; six grandchildren, Zachary, Gina, Erik, Brandon, Kaja and Zoe; and seven great-grandchildren, Iver, August, Lillian, Hector, Levi, Eero, and Asa.
Cremation has taken place. Services and interment will take place in Bismarck at a later date.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER