Liz Spidahl
1925 – 2005
Marie Elizabeth “Liz” Spidahl, 80, died peacefully October 6, 2005 at Lake Region Hospital with her family beside her.

Liz was born July 21, 1925 in Lund Township, Douglas County, to Hans Joseph and Emma Johnson.

She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1942. After working in Alexandria and Minneapolis, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College and then completed her studies in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota in 1947. She was a social worker with the Board of Christian Service in St. Paul.

She married Walter B. Spidahl on October 24, 1948 at Christina Lake Lutheran Church in Lund Township, Douglas Country. She managed the Townsend Record Shop in Fergus Falls and joined Walter in the concession business during the summertime.

In July 1954, Elizabeth contracted polio and delivered their fourth child, Robert Oscar. She was moved in an iron lung to Sister Kenny Institute where she spent a year in therapy. While raising their family, they lived in Fergus Falls, St. Anthony Park, and Tacoma, Washington. She lived graciously, resiliently and resourcefully from a wheelchair until her death, raising a family, managing a home, and sharing hospitality with friends, family, and strangers.

Elizabeth enjoyed learning Norwegian, traveling in the United States, Canada, and in Scandinavia, researching family history, bird-watching, writing, and playing the piano. She shared a deep Gospel-centered faith, her love of reading and a passion for music with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Walter Spidahl; children, John (Naomi) Stennes-Spidahl, Cashton, Wisconsin, Christine (Kim) Parsons, Eagle Bend, David (Cynthia) Spidahl, Fergus Falls, Oscar (Fern Renville) Spidahl, Seattle, Washington, Mary (Randy) Kelley, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Nadia, Hans Stennes-Spidahl; Anna, Tyler, Erica Parsons; Benjamin, Liv, Berit, Anders Spidahl; Isabel Renville; Cosmo Spidahl; Ryan, David Kelley; great-grandchild, Julian Spidahl; brothers, Richard (Arlene) Johnson and William Johnson, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Elsie Mae Jensen.

Services were held October 10 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls with the Rev. Paul Hadland officiating. Burial was at North Immanuel Northwest Cemetery in rural Pelican Rapids.

Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, was in charge of arrangements.