Bessie Gearhart

Bessie L. (Sandahl) Gearhart, age 102, of Battle Lake, MN died Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Battle Lake Good Samaritan Care Center.

Bessie Leota Gearhart was born on March 23, 1908, in Curtis , NE , the daughter of Charles and Effie ( Easton ) Underhill. When she was six months old the family moved to Rosholt , SD. At the age of 8 she moved with her family by train to the Battle Lake area. Bessie attended Barnhard School , and country schools in Girard and Maine Townships .

On June 25, 1924, Bessie married Thorfin Sandahl in Fergus Falls , MN . They farmed for 24 years in Otter Tail County then moved to Battle Lake in 1951, Bessie worked at the Gearhart Nursing Home. Thorfin passed away on November 22, 1962. Bessie married E.G. Gearhart on February 1, 1964 in Battle Lake , Minnesota . They lived in San Jose , CA for six years and in September 1974 they returned to Minnesota where they lived in Parkers Prairie. E.G. died on March 22, 1976 after which Bessie moved back to Battle Lake .

Bessie was a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Battle Lake . She enjoyed crocheting, quilt making, cooking and baking.

Survivors include her three daughters, Lillian (John) Groom, Grangeville, ID, Marian Godel, Battle Lake, MN, Elaine (Carl) Biederman, Battle Lake, MN; one son, Eugene (Pat) Sandahl, Clitherall, MN; daughter-in-law, Ann Sandahl, Champlin, MN; 33 grandchildren, 96 great-grandchildren, 83 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandson, soon to arrive, and by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Effie Underhill ; husbands, Thorfin Sandahl and E.G. Gearhart; one daughter, Irene Grove, one son, Rev. Oliver Sandahl; and by four sisters and five brothers.