Marion Tande

MADISON - Marion Ardelia Tande, age 102, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village in Madison, Wis., on Sunday, Feb. 28. She was born July 27, 1913, in Hanska, Minn., to Mikal Mikkelson and Amanda (Anderson) Mikkelson. Marion grew up on the home farm as the eldest of five children. As a young child, she spoke Norwegian and attended a one-room schoolhouse. As a young woman, Marion kept house for her bachelor uncles on the Anderson family farm. She met Alvin Tande, a handsome North Dakotan, in the mid-1930s while he was visiting relatives in Hanska. The couple married July 1, 1935, and continued living on the Anderson farm where their daughters Janice and Carla were born. The family moved to Madison, Wis., in 1942 when Al Tande took a job as an airplane mechanic at Truax Field with the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
Marion was a loving mother to her girls and to son Allen, born in 1945. She was a great cook who was known for a full cookie jar. After her kids left home she put her culinary skills to work for the Madison school lunch program.
Marion kept a beautiful garden and a side yard full of peonies. She loved to gather family around the picnic table in her backyard.
Church was always important to Marion and she was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. She sang in the church's senior choir throughout her 80s and enjoyed attending Sons of Norway meetings, where she enjoyed brushing up on her Norwegian. She celebrated her 80th birthday with a trip to Norway with her daughter Jan.
Marion lived in the same home on South Owen Drive in Madison for 60 years. She was an active member in her neighborhood Ladies Circle and bridge club. She continued to make new friends as the neighborhood turned over, and did the same after she moved to Oakwood Village after her 90th birthday. As she moved to assisted living and then to the nursing facility in her later years, Marion enjoyed art, music, exercise, and the kindness and good care she received from Oakwood staff. She was well-liked by staff and described as a gracious, thankful person.
Marion's sweet and caring nature endeared her to family and friends alike. A robust crowd from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington and beyond gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday. Marion was soft-spoken but her sly wit and love of learning remained with her throughout her days.
She is survived by her sister, Carol Todnem, of St. James, Minn., and her sister-in-law Ardis Mikkelson, of Madelia, Minn; by her three children: Jan (Jack) Gaumnitz of Lawrence, Kan., Carla (Cliff) Hageman of Fitchburg, Wis., and Allen (Karen) Tande of Plover, Wis.; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings.
Visitation for Marion will be at 10-11:00 AM on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Oakwood Village West in Resurrection Chapel, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. Please share your memories of Marion.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
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