Thelma Adeline Serdahl, also known as “Sue” to many friends and family, was born on January 29, 1926 in Max ND to Thor “Tom” and Laura (Anderson) Tofstad. She was one of five children.
Throughout her life she worked many jobs, including that as a waitress, when she was young. She worked for a Bakery and for Swift & Company, sorting and packing eggs. She worked for Service Printers in Minot ND and for a flower shop in Seattle, picking, sorting and arranging flowers. Working with flowers was one of her favorite jobs. But the most important and rewarding job was her role as a wonderful, loving Wife, Mother and Homemaker.
On May 24,1947, she married the love of her life and soul mate, Neal L. Serdahl and together they raised two loving children, Leonard and Candice. A family she took great pride and joy in. Beginning in 1955 she and Neal moved out west to Seattle, WA, then Vancouver WA and back to Seattle, where they took up permanent residence in Burien, WA.
They bought their first house, taking great pride and joy in making their house their home. She would pick fresh flowers from her garden and make beautiful arrangements and you would always know what day of the week it was by what she was doing. Monday was wash day, Tuesday- mending and sewing, Wednesday-ironing, Thursday-baking ( The smell of fresh bread and caramel rolls filled the air), Friday-she cleaned house and scrubbed the floors on her hands and knees, and Saturday and Sunday were days to do fun things like playing and singing music with Neal and her family.
When Neal retired, she spent all her time with him. They did everything together! “Sue” was a wonderful cook and was famous for her big spaghetti dinners and Norwegian “goodies”. She enjoyed country music, playing the accordion and entertaining with her husband. She also loved baseball and crocheting. Thelma, “Sue”, was a strong, stubborn Norwegian. Kind, giving and loving to everyone. She was never “picky” and never complained about anything, even when she wasn’t feeling well. Stoic, strong and courageous, up to the end. She was a woman loved and cherished by many, especially by her children. Our family is fortunate to have had such a wonderful loving wife and mother.
Thelma died on June 30, 2008 from a quick and sudden illness. She will truly be missed by us all. We Love You Mom, you will be in our hearts forever. Mom and Dad are Together Again!
She is survived by her loving daughter: Candice Serdahl, son and daughter-in-law: Leonard and Nancy Serdahl, 2 grandsons: Lenny and Justin Serdahl and several nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 yrs Neal L. Serdahl, her parents, brothers, Ted, Trigve and Roy Tofstad and sister Lilly Wakefield.
Mom Would Always Say
” That’s Good Enough”
