Reeder, ND - Myrtle Marie Heden, 82, died Friday, February 21, 1997 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.
Myrtle Marie Heden was born July 26, 1914 in Highlanding, the daughter of Ernest and Rhoday (Thompson) Heden. She grew to young womanhood on a farm near Highlanding where she attended school and a Lutheran church. On February 22, 1934 she was united in marriage to Clarence Nelson. They lived in Thief River Falls where she worked and have five children. They owned and operated a cafe-bar where she worked as a waitress and barmaid. Myrtle also washed train engines at the Round House. In 1945 she moved to Reeder where she worked at various jobs. On November 11, 1946 she married Oswald Drager at Billings, MT. The lived on a farm south of Reeder where she helped with the farm work and had six more children. In the late 1950's they moved into Reeder where they operated their trucking business for 25 years. Oswald died on October 16, 1994.
Myrtle was a member of Mamre Lutheran Church. She loved working in her garden and growing flowers. She also enjoyed birds, cats and dogs. She made pets out of garden snakes, skunks and she even had a pet pig. Myrtle enjoyed life, music, dancing, reading a good mystery book and especially spending time with her family and grandchildren.
She is survived by sons Kenny (Geri) Nelson, Vernon Nelson, all of Highlanding, Donald and Ronald Drager, both of Reeder, ND; daughters Jennie (Allan) Swenson of Hettinger, ND, Doris (Phil) Ostby of Lindstrom, Corrine (Don) Downing of Reeder, ND, Marilyn Drager of Dickinson, ND; brothers Gust (Romona) Heden of Plummer, Olai (Lois) Heden of Audobon, and Russell (Ann) Heden of Highlanding; sisters Joyce (Harley) Hardecopf of Oklee, and Eloise Halvorson of Hibbing; and numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons; one daughter; and one brother.