Myrtle Irene Skurdall

Myrtle I. Skurdall, 101 of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Heartland Care Center in the loving care of her family Funeral Services for Myrtle will be held on Friday, September 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Myrtle will be Paul Skurdall, Tyler Skurdall, Randy Olson, Charlie Burnham and Tod Ganje. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty and Lynda Pearson. Myrtle Irene, the daughter of Carl and Olga (Schjenken) Brudeseth was born on March 14, 1908 at Keith, North Dakota. She was baptized at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake and was confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Valley City. She attended the South Minnewaukan Township country school and graduated from Devils Lake High School with the class of 1926. She earned her teaching certificate from Valley City State Teacher’s College and taught in the one room school house in South Minnewaukan Township for 3 years. Myrtle was united in marriage to Paul Skurdall on April 8, 1931 in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. Myrtle worked for Manns Department Store for over 40 years, only retiring when the store closed in 1981. Myrtle was the Women’s Fashion Department Manager and Buyer. Myrtle was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School for many years and was active in the WELCA. She was also a member of the Pioneer Daughters, and Rebekah Lodge #9 where she served as a Past Noble Grand. Myrtle enjoyed watching most any kind of sporting event on TV, including golf, football, basketball and most recently World Series Poker. Myrtle was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary and those occasions were always celebrated with a card or one of her absolutely delicious angel food cakes, banana cream pies or divinity. Her talent didn’t stop in the kitchen; well into her 90’s, Myrtle enjoyed a variety of needlework projects, crocheting, knitting, etc. and her creations usually were shared with her grandchildren and many friends and family. All of Myrtle’s family and many dear friends were the recipients of her loving, caring and kind heart. Myrtle also always carried on her Manns tradition of being well-dressed and groomed, or better described as “classy”. We have lost someone very special in our lives, but her memory will live in our hearts forever. Myrtle is survived by her daughter, Ellen and her husband Charles Burnham of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Skurdall of Devils Lake; Seven Grandchildren: Toni (Brian) Cornay, Margaret Stappler all of Seattle, Washington, Nancy Stappler, Boise, Idaho, Rev. Lawrence (Charmaine) Stappler, Kalispell, Montana, James (Betty) Stappler, Marsing, Idaho; Paul (Rhonda) Skurdall, Linda (Randy) Olson all of Devils Lake; Seven Great Grandchildren: Anton Rader, Luke Stappler, Jacob (Tiffany) Stappler, C.J. Stappler, Zachary Skurdall, Logan Skurdall and Tyler Skurdall; Sister: Olive Peterson of Minneapolis, MN; Special Great Nieces and Nephew: Chris, Roberta, Sharon and Robert and several other nieces and nephews and their families. Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul on September 27, 1989; son, Tony Skurdall; grandchild, Marilyn Stappler; special niece, Leone Cellette; two sisters and two brothers.