MATHILDA M. "TILLIE" WALLACE

Mathilda “Tillie” Wallace, 93 of Oberon, ND passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the Carrington Hospital, Carrington, ND. Mass of the Resurrection for Tillie will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Charles Leute OP celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten on Friday, January 31st from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church one hour prior to the funeral service. Mathilda Marie, daughter of Vincent and Marie (Sandorfer) Wetzel, was born on the family farm, Lallie Township, rural Oberon, ND on December 11, 1920. She grew up on the farm, attended school in Oberon and graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1938 from Oberon High School. After graduating, Tillie went to New York as worked as a nanny for 2 years. She returned to the Oberon area and would make that her home the rest of her life. Tillie was united in marriage to Rudolph Olson on June 24, 1943 at Minnewaukan. They farmed in rural Oberon until 1952 when they purchased the bar in Oberon and were the owners and operators of Olson’s Bar. Rudolph died in 1961 and Tillie continued the operation of the bar until 1967 when she retired. On October 25, 1962, Tillie married Clifford Wallace and they established their home and life together in Oberon. Clifford passed away on December 7, 1987. Tillie lived within 25 miles of all of her siblings her entire life. Tillie was a member of the Antelope Valley church and Ladies Aide for many years. After her marriage to Clifford, she was an active member of St. James Catholic Church in Minnewaukan until it closed and then was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten. She also enjoyed membership in the American Legion Auxiliary of Oberon. Tillie was well known for her beautiful outdoor flower gardens and also her many plants and indoor flowers. She cared for each plant and enjoyed the beauty she could bring to her home. She was an excellent cook and each course always included very generous portions and seconds were always available and encouraged. Tillie is survived by her loving family. Her children and their spouses, Leland and Vonnie Olson of Milwaukee, OR, Ron and Jan Olson of Kingman, AZ, Sandy and Dean Swenson of Sheyenne, ND and Kathy and Pat Edinger of Valley City, ND; eight grandchildren, Corey (Suzie) Olson; Sherri (Mark) Nissley, Bill (Shawna) Olson; Erik (Denise) Swenson, Kale Swenson, Luke (Kristin) Swenson; Erin Edinger, Ashten Edinger; ten great grandchildren, Conner, Kendra, Madisyn, Kadence, Brookelynn, Kinsey, Chase, Sophie, Kendall and Sydney; sisters-in-law, Ruth Christianson of Devils Lake and Milly Wallace of Visalia, CA; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Rudolph Olson and Clifford Wallace; brother, Albert Wetzel and sisters, Pauline Borg and Rose Howard and great grandson, Brady in 2007. Serving as Casket Bearers for Tillie will be her grandchildren, Corey Olson, Sherri Nissley, Bill Olson, Erik Swenson, Kale Swenson, Luke Swenson, Erin Edinger and Ashten Edinger. Honorary Bearers are Tillie’s great grandchildren, Conner and Kendra Olson, Madisyn, Kadence and Brookelynn Nissley and Kinsey, Chase, Sophie, Kendall and Sydney Swenson. Reading the Scriptures will be Donna Grann and Dean Swenson and Gift Bearers will be Kinsey and Chase Swenson. Music will be provided by Sarah Anderson Gratton, Dean Swenson and Jodi Kurtz and a special tribute by Rodger Wetzel.