Marcella "Sally" Vatndal

Marcella (Sally) Vatndal, age 90, passed away on July 5, 2019 at her home at New Perspective, Mankato with her son and daughter by her side.  Services will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, with visitation one hour prior.  Pastor Mike Omtvedt will officiate. Private burial will be at Butterfield Cemetery. 

Sally was born on July 29, 1928 in Butterfield, MN to Tillie and August Ekstrom.  She graduated from Butterfield High School in 1946 and spent her young adult years working at the Miller Store and Butterfield State Bank.  She married Harold Vatndal on December 6, 1958 in the Mennonite parsonage in Butterfield.  Harold and Sally had a farm just outside of Butterfield for which she did the bookwork, as well as being a homemaker and mom to their two children, Steven and Shirley.

After retirement, Sally and Harold moved to Mankato to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  They lived at Realife Cooperative for many years.  Harold passed away in 2007.  Sally continued to live at Realife until September of 2018.  She cherished the many friends she had there and celebrated her 90^th birthday party with them with a “party on the porch” shortly before declining health required a move to New Perspective Senior Living where she resided the rest of her life.  Sally enjoyed her family, especially her three grandchildren. She also enjoyed people watching, shopping, visits with friends and family, bingo, and watching the Minnesota Twins.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents; brothers and sisters; Anna Derksen, Harold Ekstrom, Ida Mohlencamp, Ruby Shellum, and Jane Voshage.  She is survived by her son, Steven (Anita Baerg) Vatndal; daughter, Shirley (Sam) Murray; her three grandchildren, Bethany Murray, Jacob Vatndal and David Vatndal; brother, John Ekstrom; sister-in-law, Caroline Vatndal; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sally’s family is grateful for the loving care provided by the New Perspective’s staff and the services of the Mayo Hospice team.