Louise Lina Palmer, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, Washington from Alzheimer’s Dementia.
She was born June 3, 1915 in New Salem, North Dakota, the daughter of Edmund and Anna (Hoesel) Hoger.
Louise grew up and attended school in the New Salem area, completing 8 years without missing a day. She married Arthur Matthiesen in June of 1937. They lived in the Judson/New Salem area until 1954 when they moved to Jamestown, North Dakota. In September of 1966, Louise married Marion Orr. They lived on Mr. Orr’s farm near Ypsilanti, North Dakota until his passing in late 1992. In 1993, Louise moved to Sedro-Woolley, WA to be nearer her children, where she has lived until her passing.
Louise was a born caregiver, beginning as a teenager taking care of her nieces and nephews, then raising and caring for two sons and a daughter. She cared for her husband Arthur’s parents until their death. After the move to Jamestown, she worked at the Ann Carson Home for Crippled Children where she was the Supervisor/Housemother for the very little boys. Louise retired from this position. Then her volunteer activities began. She spent several years at Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown volunteering to do anything that needed doing. She was loved by everyone and was tireless in her duties. High-Acres Manor always rewarded her for her efforts and in 1991, they were instrumental in her receiving the North Dakota State Volunteer of the Year Award.
The day after her arrival in Sedro-Woolley, she walked into the Skagit Valley Convalescent Center (now Life Care Center) and wanted to sign up to volunteer. She volunteered all day, 5 days a week, until she began having health problems in January of 1999. Unable to live alone any longer, she insisted on living at the Life Care Center. Her volunteering continued. In the spring of 2002, she met Wilber (Polly) Palmer who was a resident there. They were married in August of 2002 and resided at the Care Center until his passing in September of 2003.
Louise enjoyed flower gardens, crocheting, reading, walking and meeting people. Her love of God, church, and humanity were lifelong. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon, where she attended church and Bible study until she was no longer able to do so. Special thanks to Pastor Shudde from Trinity Lutheran for continuing to visit and serve communion to Louise after her life in a wheelchair began.
Louise is survived by her three children, Edward Matthiesen and his wife Carolgene of Ypsilanti, ND, Marvin Matthiesen and his wife Sharon of Eatonville, WA and Helen Matthiesen Mossington and her husband Charlie of Sedro-Woolley, WA. Grandsons, Guy Mossington, Michael, Mark, Scott, and Paul Matthiesen, her very special granddaughter, Laura Mossington and 8 great-grandchildren. Her step-children, Paul Orr and his wife Dory, Cliff Orr and his wife Valeria, Floyd Orr and his wife Ellen, Doris Orr, Vonnie Orr Entzminger and her husband Darrel and Fern Jensen, all of North Dakota, and Clifford Palmer and his wife Sue of Sedro-Woolley. Numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Anna Hoger; her husbands Arthur Matthiesen, Marion Orr and Wilber (Polly) Palmer; her brothers, Ed, Carl, Arno, Max, and Oscar Hoger; her sisters, Martha Reuther, Toni Wolf and Tillie Wolf and her grandson, Brian Matthiesen.
Special thanks is extended to very special caregivers, Joyce and Michelle.
At Louise’s request, there will be no services. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
God saw Mom was getting tired,
A cure was not to be,
So, He put his arms around her
And whispered “Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes we watched her suffer
And saw her fade away.
Although We loved her dearly, we could not make her stay.
Her golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest;
God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
Marvin and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Good memories and the best. Blessings to all.
I am praying for you and the family during this time of your loss.
Aunt Louise will always have a special place in my heart. The love and care she provided my grandparents in the final years of their lives was far and above anything that could be expected of a daughter-in-law. She deserves a monument in my humble opinion.
Our thoughts and sympathy are with our cousins at this sad time.
Norm and Cynthia Three Forks MT.
“Grandma Two” as I called her, was a special lady. I loved going to the farm to visit near Jamestown. It was a treat when I got to have Hot Chocolate from her cupboard. I always remember her good food. When Grandpa Marion was put in the Nursing Home she was always such a loving support to him. She always gave him hugs and kisses to let him know he was loved, even on the days he was a grump. I’ll always remember when I called to tell you we named our first child “Samantha Louise” and you said, “Oh, what an awful name!” Samantha loves her name and knows that she was named after you.
God Bless you Grandma Two. May you rest in Peace.
Love, Jana (Paul’s youngest daughter)
Louise(Grandma Louise as our children referred to her) was a very special & loving stepmother & Grandma. She treated us & loved us like her own. Our family will cherish many happy memories of times at the farm with her & Grandpa Orr,their visits to our house in E. Grand Forks, MN., and family camping trips she went on with us. She spent her life caring for & loving others. Now no doubt she is at peace & happy in heaven with the Lord. We will miss her in our lives. Thanks to Helen, Marvin, & Edward for sharing her with the Orr family.
Grandma Louise married Grandpa Orr when I was 2 years old, so she was the only grandma Orr I knew. I will always remember her excitement and laughter as my dad (Bud) joked with her and her welcoming smile as all 11 of us piled out of the car. Grandpa and her thought there was no end of us kids exiting out of the car.( good thing it was a big farm to run about!)
When she was home for a visit from Washington, one time she stayed at our home in Jamestown. I really enjoyed the time spent with her! Louise was a loving,caring woman and she will be missed by all that knew her, and there is alot of family up here in North Dakota.. We are thinking of her and her families from afar! Always in my heart!
I remember many wonderful times with Grandma Louise. I always felt so welcomed into her home out on the farm in North Dakota and when I was able to visit her in Sedro Wholey. We would sit and have coffee and have long talks about all the news and the family. I hated it when she moved to Washington but understood her need to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Even though we were far apart she was always in my thoughts. For her children and grandchildren in Washington, I thank you for sharing her for so many years. She was loved and will always be in my heart.
Grandma Louise was a very special woman – warm, caring and full of “don’t stop now cuz there’s still more to be done” spirit. Her pride was in caring for others before herself, loving without expecting a return on it, and ensuring her family was happy and together. God will be thankful to have her on his team.