Stella Best

Stella was born on December 7, 1922 in Hankinson, North Dakota to Otto and Annie Medenwaldt. She was baptized, confirmed and received her education in that community. Stella lived in the Minneapolis area until 1995. While raising her children, she supported the family by holding two jobs. And, although she was a stern disciplinarian, she maintained a sense of humor. Stella loved to fish,especially with her grandchildren. And she loved to go to the casino. In fact, in the apartment where she lived, there was a ?buddy system? in place where neighbors checked on one another. When Stella went to play at the casino, she would often hang a ?Gone Fishing? sign on her door. Although she enjoyed her garden, particularly tomatoes, crocheting, embroidery and playing bingo, time spent with her family was what she loved the most. Their holiday celebrations eating, games and laughter; her travels to Disney World, Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, Reno, England were always planned around visits with those she loved. It was while planning a trip to England that she discovered her given name was actually Evelyn. She took many pictures of family and diligently labeled them for keepsakes. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ladies Auxiliary, and Ladies Aid. Stella was called from this life on Tuesday afternoon, September 16th while a resident of Lutheran Haven Nursing Home. She was 85 years old.Cherishing her memory are her children: Joyce (Richard, Sr.) Laumb, Ross (Carmen) Best, and Bryan Best all of Montevideo, and Deborah Odegard Roeder of Minneapolis; 12 grandchildren: Richard Laumb, Jr., Bob Laumb, Randy Laumb, Roxanne Best, Michael Best, Nicole Best, Michael Visness, Matthew Best, Patrick Best, Lori Odegard, Cari Odegard and Chad Roeder; many great grandchildren and her sister Judy Williams of Rogers, MN. Preceding her in death were her parents Otto & Annie, her former husbands Ray Rettig and Albert Best, and her siblings: Norman, LeRoy, Willard, Donald, Mabel and Alice.