Mardella (Keller) Gegelman

Mardella Ella Gegelman joined her beloved husband, Richard, and Jesus in heaven on Sunday August 16, 2020 at the age of 91. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Defiance Cemetery, north of Dodge, ND with Pastor Kirk Peters officiating.

Mardella was born to Emma and Fred Keller on October 6, 1928 in Dodge, North Dakota. As a child she loved being on the farm and working with the horses. While still young, scarlet fever took her hearing, but not her spirit. She continued her education at the North Dakota School of the Deaf. Despite multiple obstacles, she prevailed time and time again, blessing us with her strong and sassy personality.

Mardella married Richard Gegelman on December 13, 1949. They went on to have four children: Delbert, Donald, Mary, and Bonnie.  In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, Mardella loved watching things grow. Whether it be her great-grandbabies or seeing seedlings sprout in her gardens. She canned, baked and enjoyed handcrafting. In her later years, Mardella spent her days crocheting afghans.

Family was at the heart of Mardella’s world!

She is survived by her son, Delbert; her daughters Mary (Kevin) Jones and Bonnie (Neil) Eckelberg; seven grandchildren, Shawn and Shelly Gegelman, Terry (Chris) Izell, Aaron Jones, Travis (Angie) Eckelberg, Tessa (Frank) Filipi, Sara Eckelberg; 10 great-grandchildren, Amelia, Lorraine, Melody, and Naomi Gegelman, Jon, Ashlyn, and Justin Eckelberg, Austyn and Morgyn Filipi, Conner Izell; one sister Donna (Robert) Kovaloff.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one son; her parents; brothers Rueben, Elmer, Fred, and Victor Keller; and sisters Netti Wilhelm, Gladys Keller, and Vera Koehler.

Mardella’s family requests memorials to be made in honor of Mardella to the giver’s choice.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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