INEZ MARION SEVERSON's Obituary
Inez Marion Lerdahl Severson 98, died on Friday, May 18 at Kaiser Hospital in Vacaville.Inez was born on March 24, 1920 in Mayville, North Dakota to Edward and Dora Lerdahl. Inez was the oldest of four girls, her sisters being Sophie, Ruth and Lorraine. The family lived on several farms in the rural county and they eventually were able to move to Portland (5 miles from Mayville). Her father was a custodian at the school and her mom worked at the local hardware store. The family had a large garden on their property where fruits and vegetables were grown and preserved during the summer for the long, often brutal winter. Flowers were also grown in the garden to sell for extra income.Inez pursued and earned her teaching degree at Mayville State Teaching College. Inez would work one semester, walking the 5 miles each day to Mayville’s Corner Café and then attend college the next semester until she finished her degree. She then began teaching and loved the ‘lower grades’ especially the challenging first graders. Inez met Ernie Severson and they were married at Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland, ND on August 17, 1947. Both Inez and Ernie taught school and welcomed 3 children, JoAnn, Kay and Dale before moving to California in 1954. In 1957, Brian Lee was born, completing their family.Inez loved her family and they were her world. She was an amazing baker and her cinnamon rolls and sticky buns were highly requested family favorites. She loved making lefse for the holidays and worked to preserve her Norwegian heritage with her children and grandchildren. Growing up, Inez and Ernie participated in all activities their children were involved in and then truly enjoyed when grandchildren came along and brought a whole new set of activities to enjoy. Together they had created a home that was filled with love and support for their family that had no limits.Inez was a stay at home mom for many years until her youngest was ready for middle school. She then went back into the education field by first substitute teaching and then moved into bringing instruction and activities through the adult school program to several convalescent homes in Hayward, CA. Her compassion and love for the elderly patients was inspiring and her presence in their lives was invaluable.In her lifetime, Inez enjoyed so many things. She was a devoted Christian who loved her church and church family. She would look forward to her circle gatherings and meeting with her friends. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, enjoyed Daytimer’s bible study and all church activities-especially with the women’s groups. She enjoyed her neighbors, loved crafts, gardening (she grew amazing tomatoes and roses), a new car and she would always jump at the opportunity to travel with Ernie—anywhere he wanted to go.Inez and Ernie were married for 59 years and they were truly partners in life. After her beloved Ernie’s death in 2006 she lived on her own for 4 years, eventually moving to Vacaville in 2008. To try and describe Inez is impossible but anyone who knew her would agree that she was a strong, loving, gracious, unassuming wonderful woman who touched many lives.Inez was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Dora Lerdahl, her sisters Sophie Enger, Ruth Braaten and Lorraine Fugleberg, her husband Ernie Severson and her son, Brian Severson. She is survived by her children, JoAnn Severson, Kay (Steve) Evans and Dale(Cheryl) Severson, her grandchildren Jacob Ruskofsky, Michelle (Ricardo) Lopez, Matthew Severson, Gabriel Severson, Andrew Evans and Jodi Evans, her great-grandchildren Haley Severson, Taylor Severson, Evan Severson, Cole Severson and Emma Severson.A ‘Celebration of Life’ service will be held on June 4 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont CA at 1:00pm. Everyone is invited to join us at BJ’s restaurant (5699 Mowry Ave, Newark, CA) after the service for lunch.In lieu of flowers –a donation to the Inez Severson Memorial Fund % Holy Trinity Lutheran Church-(38801 Blacow Rd, Fremont, CA 94536) proceeds to help with new audio equipment for the church.Mom’s life was a blessingHer memory a treasureShe was loved beyond wordsAnd will be missed beyond measure…..
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