Charlotte Eunice (Sundell) Loken, 84, of New Rockford,  ND  formerly of rural York, ND, died Tuesday, April 8 at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, N.D.

She was born in Sykeston, N.D., to Charlie (Carl) and Ina (Anderson) Sundell on November 5, 1929. They lived in several small towns before settling in Esmond, N.D., where she graduated from high school.   Charlotte spent a couple of years living in Red Wing, Minn., in the late 40s and worked at the Red Wing Pottery. She painted several floral patterns onto dining ware, including the Lotus, Morning Glory and Chrysanthemum.

Charlotte married Gordon Loken on June 24, 1950 in Esmond. They moved to the Loken Farm near Baker, N.D., where they farmed and raised their family. Gordon passed away in 1994 and she lived on the farm until December 1998. She has resided at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd at New Rockford since 2000.

Charlotte was a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church her entire married life, and was a member of the Ladies Aid Auxiliary. She was on a committee that designed and created a banner to commemorate the church's 100th anniversary in 1999. Charlotte loved to bake, and she often baked goodies for home-bound church parishioners.  Charlotte spent many hours on crocheting projects, many of which she framed and gave as gifts. Several years, she sent crocheted snowflakes to Bismarck, N.D., to be hung on the State Christmas Tree. She was also well-known for being an excellent cook and baker and a very gracious hostess. She was well-known for her chocolate chip cookies and homemade buns, as well as her Scandinavian pastries. She passed on the skill of making lefse to her daughters and granddaughters. And every summer, she grew beautiful flower beds, her favorite flowers being German hollyhocks, petunias and red geraniums. She won several blue ribbons at a flower show in Maddock, N.D. in the mid-70s.

Charlotte was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue in 1987 and became a strong advocate and resource for others with the same condition. She belonged to a Celiac Sprue Support Group that was run out of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Charlotte's pride and joy were her children and grandchildren.

Charlotte is survived by her children and grandchildren: Greg (Cindy) Loken, Cherry Valley, Ill. and grandsons David (Erin) Loken, Minneapolis, and Erik Loken, Rockford, Ill.; Brenda Loken, Carrington, N.D.; Lance Loken, Bismarck, N.D.; Marsha (Peter) Johnson, Grand Forks, N.D., and grandchildren Jacob, Carly, Thomas and Zoe, all of Grand Forks.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her parents; brothers Donald and Charles (Chuck) Sundell; sister Janice Gronsberg; half-sister Marilyn Connolly; two infant siblings; and granddaughter Marilyn Olga Loken Johnson.

Funeral Services:   Saturday, April 19th, 2014  at 1:30 PM at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Rural York, N.D.

Visitation:   Friday, April 18, 2014 from 4 to 7pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds

Prayer Service and Time of Sharing:  Friday,  7:00 PM at the Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds

Burial:  St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural York, ND





Condolences:

Greg, Brenda, Lance, & Marcia, You are in my thoughts prayers at this time. I remember your mom with a smile on her face all the time. Remembering when your family would come to grandma and grandpa Loken's in Cando, and playing with you guys. The memories will remain. Kristi Lee-Weyrauch (Vera's daughter)



Our thoughs and prayers for all of the Loken Family.   Charlotte had such a wonderful laugh and was a wonderful cook...in fact she made the greatest chocolate chip cookies that cannot be duplicated anywhere!   We are so lucky to have had her in our lives! Our love,   Onofre and Dave



Mary Ann and I send our deepest heart-felt condolences to Marsha, Lance, Brenda, Greg, and all the extended Loken family. We always enjoyed visiting with Charlotte at family gatherings and visits. She was a kind and generous soul with a wonderful smile. We are very grateful for knowing her. Our prayers go out to all of you who were her family and friends! Sam and Mary Ann Johnson