Emma B. Nordgaarden, 99

Emma B. Nordgaarden, 99, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Thursday, April 7, 2005.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005, in the First Lutheran Church. Pastor Dave Olson will officiate with interment following in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Friends may call at Coffelt's Moon Chapel on Monday, April 11, from noon to 6 p.m.

Emma was born on Feb. 4, 1906, in Barto Township, Minn. She grew up and attended schools in Minnesota and Canada. She met her lifelong love, Gilbert Nord-gaarden, and they were married on Dec. 25, 1925, in Thief River Falls, Minn.

In 1942, the family moved to North Idaho with eight of their children. Four more children were born here in Idaho. For several years, Emma worked in the kitchen at the Sandpoint Manor and at the lunchroom at Sandpoint Junior High. However, her main job was her home and her children.

She was an avid gardener for many years. She also enjoyed hunting, huckleberry picking and fishing. In later years, she loved motorcycle rides. She took her last ride at the age of 98, going up to Schweitzer. She loved watching her granchildren play sports and was each one's number one fan.

Emma was a member of First Lutheran Church for 63 years and was involved in the church quilting group.

She is survived by eight children, Millard Nordgaarden of Sandpoint, Arnold of St. Louis, Mo., Ed of Sandpoint, Glen of Hope, Idaho, Gladys Wahl of Sandpoint, Manda Benton of Spokane, Wash., Grace Brixen of Sandpoint and Lila Petersen of Sandpoint; and 32 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gilbert; an infant daughter, Darlene; and three sons, Earl, Gaylord and LeRoy.

We will miss you dearly, Mom and Grandma, but we know you are reunited with your loved ones in paradise.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.