Emmy Nilsen Tandberg

My mother, Emmy, was born in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 17, 1920. She graduated from high school, took business classes and became an office worker. Her last job in Oslo was as a clerk for a district judge. She always said she loved that job; it was interesting and challenging. Mother and Dad were married Oct. 9, 1947. Having come through World War II in occupied Norway, they immigrated to the U.S. for the opportunities available here. They arrived in Wolf Point in January 1948. I was born that July. Mother missed the mountains of Norway so we moved west to Missoula in 1949. Dad worked construction, eventually becoming a contractor. Mother used her office experience from Norway and became Dad's bookkeeper. Her work was always "to the penny."

We lived in the house that Dad built. Mother was a friend to the widows in the neighborhood. They got together once a week for an afternoon of cards and home-baked treats. Mother loved to read, mainly history and biography from WWII. She had books all over the house. She also loved to clip articles from the paper. Many ended up in her unique filing system, tucked into the pages of the corresponding subject in my World Book Encyclopedia, history or biography book. She often said that all she needed for enjoyment was something to read. She loved to go on rides, often with her good friend Lois Dodge, to have a meal down in the Bitterroot. She found enjoyment in the beauty of Montana. She sponsored one of the timber-framed shade pavilions on the river trail at Silver Park. Over the years there were several trips back to Norway to visit her mother Milda, cousins and childhood friends. Mother kept her heritage alive as a 66-year member of Sons of Norway.

Dad died in 1989 and Mother remained in her house on Strand for 60 years until a fall and a broken pelvis meant a move to assisted living. The past 4 1/2 years mother lived at The Springs Footsteps. There were fun activities, country rides, treats, visiting animals and good times. Mother was most often smiling and laughing, a blessing to me. I was always her "lillegut" (little boy).

Mother passed away in her home at The Springs in the early afternoon of Oct. 3, 2015, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Sharon and I want to thank Dr. Carla Davis for the kind care she extended to us on this journey; also, to Partners in Home Care Hospice and The Springs for loving care. Survivors are her son, Rolf, and his wife, Sharon; and Emmy's adopted family, the entire staff at The Springs.

As mother wished, we had a private service with Pastor Chris Flohr, St. Paul Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Western Montana or any local children's charity.
Read Emmy Tandberg's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.