OBITUARY

Mardene Slaathaug, 82, of Fargo, ND, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Fargo Elim nursing home.

Mardene Ivanne Sandberg was born to Douglas Ardine and Margaret (Watson) Sandberg on October 28, 1940, in Greenbush, MN. She was raised in Karlstad, MN, graduated from Karlstad High School in 1958, and graduated from Aaker's Business College, Grand Forks, ND in 1959. She married Vergil E. Sorlien on November 5, 1960, and divorced in 1977.  On March 31, 1979, Mardene married Clarence L. Slaathaug at Evanger Lutheran Church, rural Grand Forks. Mardene had a long and successful career, working for a total of 46 years at Valley Medical Associates, Grand Forks Clinic and Altru Health System.

Mardene was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church, Karlstad, MN. She had been a member of Evanger Lutheran Church rural Grand Forks for 36 years where she served on the church council, parish board, held various offices with Evanger WELCA and taught Sunday school.  After her move to Fargo, she became a member of St Paul’s Free Lutheran Church. Throughout her life, Mardene was active in the Republican Party and attended the North Dakota Republican State Conventions. She had strong opinions on religion and politics and loved a lively discussion about these issues and current events. Mardene was a passionate fan of sports of all kinds but especially University of North Dakota (UND) hockey, football, and basketball games. She loved all animals, especially her cats. Even after her husband passed away, she continued to live on the farm where she had a large yard and loved mowing the grass on her riding lawn mower.  Mardene left the farm, which she called home for nearly 50 years in September 2020, when she moved to Fargo, ND to be closer to her son Paul and his family.

She is survived by one son, Paul Douglas (Caela) Slaathaug, Fargo, ND, one step-son, Col. (Retired) Ronald A. (Mary Jo) Slaathaug, Thompson, ND, two step-daughters, Pollianne (Steve) Rowland, Fishers, IN, Julianne Sheeks, Fishers, IN, grandson Zakary L. Slaathaug, Saige M. Slaathaug, step-grandchildren: Kenneth (Jaimee) Slaathaug, Bismarck, ND, Lynn Slaathaug (Charlie) Moen, Mayville, ND, Kyle (Taylor) Slaathaug, Grand Forks, ND, Laura Slaathaug (Keegan) Hawley, Grand Forks, ND, Andrew Rowland, Lebanon, IN, Jayna (Jared) Jones, Evansville, IN, Emily Nixon, and Kristina (Matt) O'Connor both of Fishers, IN; Step-great grandchildren Aydan and Nathan O'Connor, Ella Nixon, Jett Jones, Charlie and Helen Moen, Amelia Slaathaug, Sawyer, Isla, and Jace Slaathaug, and cousins, as well as her best friend, Fran Bertheuson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Clarence (June 2008). Also, aunts and uncles and a cousin.

Funeral Services for Mardene will be held on Saturday, February 11th at 11:00 am at St Paul’s Free Lutheran Church, 2802 12th St S, Fargo, ND. There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 with prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks, ND on Friday, February 10th. Burial will be at Karlstad Cemetery, Karlstad, MN following the funeral service.

Memorials should be given to the following, St Paul's Free Lutheran in Fargo, Karlstad Cemetery, Fargo Elim, and Thompson American Legion.