Ardell D. Palmquist

Ardell D. Palmquist, age 95 of Taylors Falls, died Monday, March 19, 2012 at Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming. Ardell Dorothy (Knudtsen) Palmquist was born on July 19, 1916 in Sandstone, Minnesota to Albert and Anna (Bjorklund) Knudtsen. She grew up in Henning, Minnesota on a farm. In 1939, she married Philip Palmquist and they moved to Maplewood where they built the home they lived in for over 50 years. They raised five children and an assortment of pets there. Ardell was very involved with her children and all of their activities. She cheered at sporting events, and sewed many costumes for church plays and Halloween nights. For many years, she was Mor Mor to many Hmong children and their moms who attended the "New Americans" class at Trinity Baptist church. All of them received Christmas gifts for which she found donations year after year. In her later years she moved to Almelund where she and Phil rebuilt and restored a house and barn built in the 1850's. They were active in the Kost Free Church where a new group of children learned to love Mor Mor. Ardell also enjoyed a Bible study group with her church friends there. She lived independently in her beloved farmhouse until her death at age 95. She is survived by her children, Joyce (Ron) Halverson of Shoreview; Jim (Beverly Markis) of Minneapolis; David (Yuliya) of Center City; Mary (Nathan) Bixler of Albuquerque, NM; Bob (Pam) of Northfield; Her grandchildren are Steve and Eileen Halverson, Jonathan and Kara Halverson, Nancy Jackson, Peter and Jessie Halverson, Ana Maria and Tommy Tufenk, Mark Palmquist, Rachel and Jonathan Milton, Joel Bixler, Daniel Bixler, Alyssa Palmquist, and Lara Palmquist. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren, and brothers; Ron (Jane) Knudtsen of Colorado Springs, CO and Roger (Anita) Knudtsen of Red Wing. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Philip (December 3, 2002) and her sister, Marcella Danielson. Funeral services were Friday, March 23, at Kost Evangelical Free Church in Kost with Rev. Dean Paulson and Rev. Ray Chesire officiating. Serving as organist was Marlys Christenson. Interment followed the service in the church cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were grandsons; Daniel Bixler, Joe Bixler, Nate Bixler, Steve Halverson, Jonathan Halverson and Peter Halverson. Memorials are preferred to Kost Ev. Free Church. Arrangements under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch. Condolences maybe left at www.grandstra ndfh.com.