Mardelle R. Oothoudt

Mardelle was born Dec 8, 1919 to the late Joseph and Anna (Ahlers) Longley at home with Dr. S.G. Knight attending. Mardelle attended elementary school in District 30, Parker Township and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1938. Mardelle was married to Erling Oothoudt on August 31, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN. During WWII, Erling was drafted and they lived in Providence, Rhode Island and Santa Monica, CA. After the war, they returned to Randall, MN where they established Oothoudt Well Drilling, Mardelle was active in the family business for many years. Mardelle moved to Little Falls in September 2000. Due to declining health, she has resided at Diamond Willow Assisted Living since September 2008. Mardelle was a member of the Randall Presbyterian Church, was an elder in the church, taught Sunday school and was involved in Christian Women’s Club. She was a member of the VFW 9073 Auxiliary, served on the Randall school board, was a volunteer for Morrison County Public Health and served as committee member for the 100th Anniversary of the City of Randall (1990). Her many interests included reading, walking, gardening, cooking, baking, sewing and socializing with friends. Mardelle loved to travel and especially enjoyed her many trips all over the world. Mardelle is survived by her sons Ashley Oothoudt and wife, Karen of Moorhead, MN; Tom Oothoudt and wife, Renae of Little Falls, MN; daughters Melodie Blanchard and husband, Tom of Englewood, CO; Sally Erickson and husband, Terry of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren Brian Oothoudt of Federal Way, WA; Todd Olk of Englewood, CO; Heather Olk of Denver, CO; Paul VonderHaar of Sartell, MN; Greg Oothoudt of Champlin, MN; Brad Oothoudt of Eden Prairie,MN; Amber Oothoudt of St. Paul, MN; Jesse Oothoudt of Little Falls, MN; Kris Oothoudt of Eden Prairie, MN; and Layne Freudenrich of Little Falls, MN; great grandchildren Sydney and Mackenzie Oothoudt, Brody Oothoudt, Carter Olk, Sam VonderHaar, Carter and Ryan Oothoudt, Alex and Mason Oothoudt, Aiden Oothoudt, Ellyse Freudenrich and step great grandchildren Jenna and Cally Zevnick, Jacob and Hannah Nash and Evan Flick. Mardelle was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mardelle was preceded in death by her husband, Erling on Jan 24, 1987; parents; sisters Lucille Dearborn, Ione Asleson, Cora Eckstrom; brother Robert Longley. Memorials to the Randall Presbyterian Church, or donor’s choice. Thank you all for celebrating Mom’s life, there was nothing she enjoyed more than the gathering of family and friends.

Tributes

Mardelle R. Oothoudt

December 8, 1919 - February 25, 2010