Angeline Regina Gustafson (née Biegler), known lovingly as Angie, passed away with her family at her beside her on September 11, 2025 at the Mountrail County Bethel Home in Stanley, North Dakota. She was 97 years old.

Angie was born on November 13, 1927, in Strasburg, North Dakota, the second of sixteen children. She met the love of her life, Lester Gustafson, on a cold December night in Blaisdell, North Dakota, after traveling there to meet Lester and his sister Vivian – both of whom she had been corresponding with as pen pals. At the time, Angie was working at the Capital Café in Bismarck, North Dakota and had a few days off after Christmas in 1948. What was meant to be a short visit turned into more than a two-week stay when she became stranded during the now-famous winter of 1949. The unexpected detour marked the beginning of a lifelong love.

Angie and Lester were married on April 30, 1949, in Edgeley, North Dakota. They farmed in the Edgeley area for a few years before returning to the Gustafson farm in Blaisdell, North Dakota where they spent one winter. In 1957, they moved to Stanley with their seven children at the time, and Lester began a lifelong career as a carpenter. Together they raised twelve children.

In addition to being a full-time homemaker and active member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church – where she was affectionately known as one of the original “Church Ladies” alongside her best friend, Betty. Angie also worked for several years at the local American Legion as a cook and waitress. Later, she began working at the Stanley Hospital, where she experienced one of her proudest achievements: despite having only a fifth-grade education, she rose from cook to dietician and ultimately became a board-certified dietary manager. She held that position for nearly 30 years, earning the respect and admiration of her colleagues and community.

Angie’s hands were rarely idle. She made close to 100 quilts for her children and grandchildren – each one stitched with love and care. She had a green thumb an took great pride in her garden, especially her vibrant flowers and fresh vegetables. Her homemade dill pickles were favored among her children, and no family gathering was complete without them. Her cooking was the heart of her home. Her powdered “monkeys” and homemade caramel rolls are cherished memories for her children, and her potato salad was always a favorite at church functions. And Sunday would not be complete without her fried chicken – either at the family table or precooked, packed, and taken to the lake on a Sunday fishing trip – a golden, crispy tradition that put a smile on everyone’s face. She found joy in quilting, attending church, walking with Betty, gardening, and playing any card game anyone was willing to join. Fiercely competitive, Angie brought energy and laughter to every family gathering. Her children were the pride of her life – every single one of them – and her legacy lives in the warmth she gave, the strength she shared, and the love she shared.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is reunited with loved ones and that her spirit lives in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Walburg (Sitter) Biegler; her beloved husband, Lester, with whom she shared 70 wonderful years of marriage; her son, James; her sons-in-law, Myron (Coop) and Mike; her grandson, Michael; and her siblings, Eddie, Wilma, Herman, Alice, Bud, Julia, Pete, and Geraldine.

She is survived by her children, Barbara Cooper (Myron ‘Coop’) of Berthold, Patricia Thunshelle (Paul) of Plaza, Mary Chewakin (Michael) of Berthold, Allen (Diane Hoseth) of Van Hook, Judy Spletstoser (Rick) of Van Hook, Elmer (Ann Johnson) of Shakopee, Gerard of Stanley, Timothy (Angie Adams) of East Grand Forks, Bryan (Lori Hansen) of Stanley, Pamela Schmidt (Gary) of Stanley, Glenn (Carol Feldman) of Prior Lake; 23 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; siblings, LaVina Weller (Jerry), MaryAnn Anderson (Dennis), Rose Brenna (Owen), Jim Biegler (Jan), Jerry Biegler (Vickie), Bette Syversen (Dave), and Tillie Bobby (Roger); and countless nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Memorial Contribution