Cecelia O. Todnem, 92

Cecelia O. Todnem, 92, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

She was born April 12, 1917, in Norway, Ill., the daughter of Peter and Ada (Seby) Kallem.

She grew up on a farm near Norway, attending the Fox River Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed.

Cecelia moved to DeKalb, Ill., where she was employed until her marriage in 1936 to Krist Todnem at Trinity Lutheran Church in DeKalb.

They lived in DeKalb until 1996 when they relocated to Kalispell.

Cecelia was very active in all of her church activities, including the Ladies Aid and the Missionary Society.

She enjoyed sharing her faith with others. She also loved to cook meals for her family, and also enjoyed sewing.

She was known by her nieces and nephews as "tante," which translates from Norwegian to the "lively" aunt.

One always knew of her presence by the sound of her laughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband Krist Todnem, her parents, six brothers and sisters, and a granddaughter Lisa Christensen.

She is survived by her daughter Corrine Stark and her husband Walter of Bigfork; her son Allen Todnem and his wife Patty of Hastings, Minn.; six grandchildren, Kaj and wife Yvoune, Arne and wife Stephanie, Amy and husband Richard, Eric, Dan and Suzie and partner Birch: and five great-grandchildren, Ian, Kaitlyn, Sophie, Cali and Nathan as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Cecelia will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church in DeKalb.

Urn burial will be in Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 303 S. 7th Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Cecelia's family. To share condolences and memories, visit www.jgfuneralhome.com.