Udell Mehl

Udell Eide Mehl, 86, of Fargo, ND, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN surrounded by her family. Udell Irene Mehl, daughter of Cornelius and Bertha Eide, was born July 29, 1925, the third of five children. Udell was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Bellview Lutheran Church, Howard, SD. Udell grew up on a farm near Howard, SD and attended a one-room country grade school. She graduated from Howard High School in 1943. For three years during WWII she worked at a defense plant in Detroit, MI. In 1950, Udell graduated with a Home Economics BS degree from South Dakota State University. She then taught high school Home Economics in Waubay, SD. On May 27, 1951 she married John C. Mehl who was a student at Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. In 1953, after his ordination as a pastor, the Lutheran Board of World Missions called John and Udell to serve as missionaries to Madagascar. They faithfully served the Lord for 12 years on the mission field. They were blessed with the birth of 2 sons and 3 daughters. After returning to America, John and Udell were called to serve pastorates at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood, ND; Concordia Lutheran Parish in Edmore, ND; and Martin's Lutheran Church in Casselton, ND. After retiring in October 1987, they lived in Fargo, ND spending winters in Mesa, AZ. Udell is survived by her husband, John of Fargo; daughter Sondra (Cal) Jackson, Concord, CA; son David (Beth), Fort Worth, TX; son Steven (Ruby), Spirit Lake, IA; daughter Carolyn (Peter) Tunseth, Grand Forks, ND; daughter Barb (Doug) Berglund, Bismarck, ND; 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; sister Sharon (Jim) Weinel, Rosemount, MN. Udell was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Bertha Eide, brothers LeGorie and Charles, sister Andrina Pike. Udell died of a massive stroke while attending a festive gathering at Mount Carmel Bible Camp near Alexandria, MN. She had visited Mt. Carmel many times through the years, from shortly after her wedding to this her 61st wedding anniversary. Memorial gifts may be designated to Mount Carmel Ministries, Alexandria, MN. Udell was member of the First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. Funeral Service: Friday, June 1, 2012, at 10:30 AM, at First Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation: Thursday, May 31, 2012, from 5-7 PM, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM, at First Lutheran Church. Burial: First Lutheran Church Cemetery, Volga, South Dakota, at a later date.