March 1, 2016

Adeline Nordeng

Adeline Dolores (Torstenson) Nordeng, 87, of Belt, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 20, 2016, at The Grandview.
Adeline was born on Sept. 19, 1928, to John and Pauline (Hersrud) Torstenson on the family homestead in Ellsworth Township, McKenzie County, N.D.
She attended a country school south of Arnegard, N.D., riding her pony in the spring and fall, and skiing to the school in the winter. She later traded her pony for a piano.
On Dec. 17, 1946, in Sidney, Mont., she married Alfred Nordeng, a McKenzie County fellow who was home from his service in World War II. They moved into a shack in Elidah Township in McKenzie County where Alfred farmed with his family. Their first born, Philip, was born while they lived in the small shack.
In 1948, they moved into Watford City and built their own basement home next to Alfred’s parents’ home. They had four more children while living there, Ronnie, Holly, Terry, and Patti. In 1959, they added an upper level to their home.
Adeline worked at various jobs over the years, including working at the McKenzie County Courthouse in the Treasurer’s office, Sheriff’s office, and the Register of Deeds office. Later she worked for the state of North Dakota, auditing cities, counties, and schools. She owned and operated the McKenzie Bay Marina and leased the American Legion Steakhouse in Watford City for several years. In her later years, she ran Addie’s Cleaning Service. Her good friend, Millie Wollan worked with her on many jobs.
She was an avid fisherwoman and spent many days with her fishing buddies, Betty and George Hayden, Lucille McMahan, and Olive Rogness. She so enjoyed her time at the lake.
In the winter of 2013, Adeline moved to Belt to live with her youngest daughter, Patti Sweeney and husband Neill. She developed Alzheimer’s and spent her final months at The Grandview in Great Falls.
She is survived by her sons, Philip (Lee) of Indio, Calif. and Terry of Three Forks; daughters, Holly (Lynn) Dewhirst of Grassy Butte, N.D. and Patti (Neill) Sweeney of Belt; grandchildren Rena (Ryan) Zimmermann of Dickinson, N.D., Sy Nordeng of Watford City, N.D., Jill (Mark) Anderson of Regent, N.D., Kelly (Rachel) Dewhirst of Watford City, N.D., McKenzie Sweeney (Quentin Ring) of Venice, Calif., Molly (Ben) Bock of Belt, Samuel Sweeney of Gaziantep, Turkey, and Joe Sweeney of Billings; and nine great-grandchildren.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred; son Ronald; great-grandson, Wyatt Anderson; siblings, Art and Henry Torstenson, Helen Thompson, June Anderson, and Pauline Pederson.
A memorial service will take place in the spring in Watford City, N.D. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER