MARDELL M. CARMICHAEL, 80

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Mardell M. Carmichael, 80, of Blair, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair.

Services were 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 2, at First Lutheran Church. Burial was in Blair Cemetery.

Mardell M. Carmichael was born Aug. 30, 1918, to Fred R. and Clara (Nelson) Hansen in Herman. She grew up on a farm west of Herman and attended the two-room Hill Creek School through 10th grade.

On July 16, 1933, she was confirmed at the Hill Creek Evangelical Lutheran church of Herman. In 1935, she graduated from Herman High School and played a violin solo during commencement.

In August of the same year she married George Carmichael of Papillion, whom she met at the age of 15, while he was living with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Francis Christiansen, driving a truck for her uncle part-time and attending high school part-time.

The couple lived in Blair, where George had grown up and became members of the Danish Lutheran Church in Blair. A homemaker, she was also a talented musician and member of her church choir. She participated in 4-H club when her daughter, Von, was young, accompanying them on piano.

Her favorite pastimes included crocheting, playing bridge, bowling, reading and the annual fishing trips to Rush Lake, Minn.

Her sense of humor endeared her to all who knew her.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Mike French and wife, Julie; Steve French and wife, Tammie, all of Arlington; Todd Carmichael and Troy Carmichael, both of Omaha; Trent Carmichael and wife, Len of Champaign, Ill.; Lynn Carmichael of St. Louis, Mo.; Kent Carmichael of Lincoln; and Jana Carmichael of Blair; great-grandchildren, Kristin, Lance, Logan, Tasha and Tiffany French, all of Arlington; and Kirk Carmichael of Champaign, Ill.; daughter-in-law Sandra Carmichael of Blair; brother-in-law, Orval Cole and wife, Virginia of Omaha; cousins Doris Stokes and husband, Earl of Blair; and Ivan Chrsitiansen of California.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Carmichael; her children, Yvonne French, Terry and Keith Carmichael; and her parents, Fred and Clara (Nelson) Hansen.

Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church, Dana College or Crowell Home.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.