Mardell Shirley Lindstrom

With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Mardell Shirley Lindstrom, age 89, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, who died on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice and Pelican Valley Senior Living.

Born on July 7, 1934, to Thorsten and Reidun (Olson) Leland in Duluth, Mardell lived a life filled with love and dedication. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota.   She went to school and graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth in 1952.  She continued her education at Duluth Business College and worked in banking.

Mardell married Robert (Bob) Lindstrom on August 4, 1956, at Salem Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota. When Bob was stationed in El Paso Texas, she worked at First American National Bank. Following his discharge from the Army, they moved back to Duluth.  In 1971 Mardell and Bob moved to Pelican Rapids where Mardell worked at J.P. Wallace State Bank and Pelican Valley State Bank. Mardell touched the lives of many with her kindness and warmth working as a special education paraprofessional for 17 years in the Pelican Rapids Elementary School. For several years she enjoyed working in the garden center and the health & beauty department at Kmart in Fergus Falls until she retired. 

She shared a lifetime of memories with her beloved husband Bob, and together they raised a family in the tight-knit community of Pelican Rapids. Her spirit will live on through her daughter Deborah (David) Sjostrom, Pelican Rapids; grandchildren Travis (Bridget O’Gorman) Sjostrom and Emma (Jonathan Avise) Sjostrom-Avise, and her sisters-in-law: Elsa Persson and Grace Leland.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son David Lindstrom; siblings: Thorwald (Ardis) Leland, Irene (Peter) Tungseth, Raymond Leland, Audrey (Walter) Goltz, Philip Leland, and Donald Leland; sister-in-law Viola Jensen; and in-laws: Oscar and Lillian Lindstrom.

Mardell's commitment to her church and her passion for flower gardening and baking brought joy to all those around her. Mardell’s pride and joy was her grandchildren. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, WELCA, church choir, church quilting, and with her coffee club women. 

As we gather to honor Mardell's life, we invite you to join us for visitation on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Alex Ohman.

In memory of Mardell, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Faith Lutheran Church endowment fund, Pelican Valley Senior Living, or Knute Nelson Hospice. Let us come together to celebrate the life of a woman who brought light into the lives of all who knew her.

Larson Funeral Home in Pelican Rapids is honored to be serving the Lindstrom family during this difficult time. Online memories and condolences can be shared at www.larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com. As we remember Mardell with fondness and gratitude, let us take comfort in the joy she brought to our lives.

Please keep Mardell's family in your thoughts and prayers.