Marcella Sanden, age 93, of Mahnomen, MN, died Sunday, September 15, 2013, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Marcella "Marcie" Jeanette Lee, daughter of Lars O. and Julia (Korsgaden) Lee was born on June 18, 1920, in Mahnomen, MN, in a quaint area known as "Little Norway." She was baptized on August 1, 1920, at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, and confirmed her faith on June 23, 1935. Marcie attended school in Mahnomen and graduated from Mahnomen High School with the class of 1939. As a young woman, she worked at Hartz grocery store. On October 5, 1942, Marcie was united in marriage to Adison Sanden. Following Adison's honorable discharge from the Army Air Force, the couple made their home in Brownsville, TX, for three years. They returned to Mahnomen and Marcie worked for Lee Farm Supply and, later, Lee Electric.


Marcie was devoted to her family and greatly enjoyed her nieces and nephews who tenderly called her "LaLa". She was the family beautician and always cut and permed everyone's hair. If those in her family couldn't remember dates of birthdays or anniversaries, Marcie was always their first call. Marcie and Adison spent countless hours digging graves with dear friends and business partners, Blanche and Bennett Iverson. Adison passed away in 2003 and Marcie moved into the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in 2010 where she has made her home since.


Marcie and Adison loved to spend time in the outdoors, often camping, fishing, and snowmobiling. They liked to travel and spent 15 winters in Texas. Marcie was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and weekly release time for many years. She was also active in the Ladies Aide, Women's Circle, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

"LaLa" is survived by several nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lars and Julia; her husband, Adison; two brothers, Leslie C., and L. Reuben; and one sister, Eva Mae Casmey.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20 at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen with Pastor Gary Lundberg officiating. Brenda Tilton will serve as organist with Dave Kochmann providing special music. Pallbearers will be Robert Lee, Michael Casmey, Richard Gearhart, Peter Lee, Abby Houston, and Caleb Gearhart.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Interment will be held at First Lutheran Cemetery in Mahnomen.