Erma Stordahl

Erma Stordahl, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Eventide on 8th in Moorhead on Sunday, January 1, 2023.

 Erma Freida Dockter was born February 1, 1930, in Tuttle, ND, to Jacob and Alvina Dockter.  She grew up on the family farm, the eighth of twelve children.  She moved to Fargo and lived with her aunt, Ada Sweeney and family to attend Fargo Central High School, graduating in 1948.  Erma worked for Kost Brothers concrete company where she met Richard (Ray) Stordahl.  Erma and Ray were married June 30, 1949, at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo.  They lived in Moorhead and had three sons, Bruce, Tom, and John.  They were charter and active members of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.  Erma enjoyed participating in circle, Bible studies, and serving others. 

 During their married years, Erma worked at the license bureau, census bureau, and the elections office.  She also volunteered at St. Luke's (Sanford) where she assisted families with loved ones in the ICU and escorted patients. Erma was a prolific knitter and made thousands of caps for newborns at Sanford. She was well known for her Christmas stockings and made these for many families in Fargo-Moorhead and beyond.  Whenever she sat down to watch TV, she would get out her latest knitting project.   Her family enjoyed her sweaters, afghans, mittens, scarves, and numerous other projects.  

 Erma and Ray built a family cabin at Bad Medicine Lake in the 1960's.  She spent summers at the lake with the boys when they were growing up where Ray would join them on the weekends. When Ray retired, they lived at the lake for an extended time, enjoying the beauty of God's creation. One of their favorite rituals was an evening sauna and dip in the lake. Erma was a wonderful baker and filled us with bread, kuchen, caramel rolls, cookies, and pies.   They generously shared the cabin with their grandchildren and made many warm memories together.  Erma was thrilled to see the tradition continue with her great grandchildren. 

 Erma enjoyed reading, traveling with Ray, and playing duplicate bridge.  She enjoyed card games with family and was a tough competitor.  Erma and Ray enjoyed following all activities where their grandchildren were involved.  They were avid sports fans and could be seen regularly at Concordia and Moorhead Spuds football and basketball games.  Erma's love of sports continued after Ray's death in 2013.  You would often find her watching football, baseball, and hockey.  She loved looking at pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Erma is survived by sons, Bruce (Peggy), Fargo, Tom (Andrea), Moorhead, John (Shanna), Ivins, UT; four grandchildren, Clara Van Zee, New Sharon, IA, Zachary (Kelsey) Stordahl, Boise, ID, Hannah (Erik) Lien, Moorhead, and Sonja (Alex) Kohns, Plymouth, MN; and eight great grandchildren, Logan, Lincoln, and Lexi Van Zee, Phillip Stordahl, Grayson, Lynnea, and Annika Lien, and Morgan Kohns; sisters, Elsie Schmitke and Florence Kluck; and brother, Arnold Dockter; and many nieces and nephews.  Erma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray; sisters, Hattie Zechiel, Gertrude Desing, Clara Fairchild, and Esther Hertz; and brothers, Ervin, Herbert, Robert, and Dale Dockter.

 Memorials preferred to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Eventide Foundation, and Wellspring for the World.

 Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 9, 2023, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.  Erma’s service will be livestreamed here on her obituary page.