Martha Tharaldson

Martha Tharaldson, age 92 of Fosston, MN passed away on Friday, July 25th at First Care Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Interment will be at Hope Cemetery in Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Monday, July 28th at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Martha Irene Gunderson was born on May 5, 1922 in Fosston, MN, the daughter of Magnus and Guru Bertina (Smette) Gunderson. She attended Maple Hill School in rural Columbia Township. Her first job was as a housekeeper and cook in Buxton, North Dakota. Later she worked at Ruetell's Clothing Store in Grand Forks and the Green Lantern Café in Fosston prior to returning to the family farm to care for her sick mother until her death. She married Orin Tharaldson in June of 1943 and moved to their newly purchased farm in Queen Township. Martha was very active with the farm activities which included all aspects of the dairy and grain operation, including the finances. Martha also worked as an in-home child care provider and worked outside the home at the following businesses: Fosston Potato Plant, Danny Carlson Potatoes, Fred Gunderson Farm, TTT Farm, and Mary's Corner Closet. She was active for many years with the Ladies Aid at Hope Lutheran Church and as a loyal volunteer at the Embassy Center. Martha's hobbies included reading, crocheting, gardening, sewing, dancing, and playing cards. Every year she looked forward to the annual Tharaldson-Gunderson Family Reunion. On Friday, July 25, 2014 Martha passed away at Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston at age 92. She is survived by two siblings: Julia Wood of Grand Forks, ND; and Thelma Rinkenberger of Fosston; five children: Kenneth (Carol) Tharaldson of Blaine MN; Lenora (Howard) Courtney of Ham Lake, MN; Roselie (Lueman) Olness of Andover, MN; Gene Tharaldson of Bagley, MN; and Joann (Dale) Munter of Fosston; fourteen grandchildren: Tammy (Mike) Trust, Melissa (Tony) Miller, Jeff (Monica) Tharaldson, Sandra (Brian) Hartigan, T.J. (Lisa) Tharaldson, Mike Courtney, Darlene (Dave) Hildebrandt, Dana Radack, Theresa Courtney, Cory (Katie) Olness, Sarah (Mike) Johnson, Bradley (Mehri) Munter, Paul (Emily) Munter, and Ethan Munter; thirty-four great-grandchildren: Tim, Monda, Theodore, Tony, Randy, Cody, Mason, Olivia, Esme, Orin, Farris, Evelyn, Rachel, Alex, Shane, Jeff, Amber, Mike, Tyler, Jadin, Riley, Camden, Kayler, Olive, Iggie, Graham, Elijah, Peyton, Allison, Terrance, Lincoln, Ameerah, Bailey, and Trinity; and one great-great grandchild: Sophie.She was preceded in death by her parents Magnus and Guru Gunderson; her husband Orin; five siblings: Clarence Gunderson, George Gunderson, Melfred Gunderson, Myrtle Finneseth, and Gladys Melby; and two children: son Tilfred Tharaldson and daughter Alene Radack.