Roland and Margaret Stillwell
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Memories from Family and Facebook Friends
Recently we’ve been sharing memories of Roland and Margaret Stillwell on Facebook. I decided they should be the first persons featured in the “Notables” section of the Family History part of my website.
First, I’ll share what I have found through family history research, and then I’ll include memories shared by others.
Him:
Roland Wesley Stillwell was born Nov. 16, 1914, at Watford City, N.D. His parents were Orin Wesley and Mabel Mae Luella (Lamb) Stillwell. Siblings were Bea, Carl, Leona, Lester, Wayne Berdine (died age 2), and LaMoine.
At the time of the 1920 Federal Census, he lived in Schafer, N.D. with his parents and siblings Beatrice, Carl, Leona, and Lester.
At the time of the 1930 Federal Census, he lived in Watford City with his parents and siblings Bea, Carl, Lester, and LaMoine.
When Roland was 18 his father, Orin, died.
In 1940 the Federal Census listed him as a partner in a restaurant with his brother, Lester. It was located in Mayville, N.D. They lived with their widowed mother, Mabel, and youngest brother, LaMoine.
August 14, 1940, he married Margaret Ethel Quinnell.
Her:
Margaret Ethel Quinnell was born Jan. 2, 1918, in Arnegard, N.D. Her parents were Martin and Anne “Marie” (Wilson) Quinnell. Siblings were Lars, Anna, Henry, John Lewis, John Leonard, Adolph, Verna, and James.
Margaret’s mother died when Margaret was 18 and her father died when she was 21.
From Find A Grave website:
Margarette was born Jan. 2, 1918, at Arnegard, N.D., the daughter of Martin and Marie Anne Quinnell. Margarette was baptized and confirmed at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard and graduated from Arnegard High School in 1936. After graduation she was employed at the State Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., as a secretary for the Secretary of Agriculture. On August 14, 1940, she married Roland W. Stillwell in Bismarck. They lived in Watford City, Mayville and Lisbon, N.D., before moving to Kalispell, Mont., in 1964. They made their home in Union, Wash., since 1967. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Marie, a son, "Lonnie", and an older sister. Margarette passed away October 20, 1987, at Port Orchard Care Center in Port Orchard, Wash.
Them:
They were married Aug. 14, 1940. Their first child, Orin Martin “Tod” Stillwell was born July 2, 1943, in Williston, N.D. Their second child, Loren Roland “Lonnie” Stillwell was born in Williston Nov. 14, 1944.
Their last residence together was in Union on the Hood Canal.
Margaret died Oct. 21, 1987, in Port Orchard.
Roland married Sadie Elizabeth Harding Dawson Nov. 11, 1990. She was a best friend of Leona’s daughter, Shirley Loutherback.
Roland died June 14, 1997, in Kalispell, Mont. Roland and Margaret are buried in Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kalispell. It is the same cemetery where their son Lonnie was buried.
Facebook Memories:
Janis M. Jarvis: I remember Roland and Margaret.
Chuck Stevens: Mom and I went and saw Margaret in St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: They stayed with me in Portland, Ore., for a weekend when they came down from the Hoods Canal. Aunt Margaret struggled a lot. I smelled her insulin in the house for days after they left. Weird how a smell can linger after cleaning and washing the bedding. Uncle Roland was so patient and caring for her.
Jeff Sauer: One of my fond early memories with Roland and Margaret was playing pinochle with them in the house on Sixth Ave. in Valley City in 1983. They were quite competitive, but fun. I wish was had taken some pics.
Julie Stillwell Sorenson: My favorite story Mom told was when Roland and Margaret came to stay with us in a tiny old farmhouse while he helped build us a new home. They slept in a bed in an enclosed front porch and the first morning us kids dropped our cats on the bed. Margaret was allergic.
Shellee Sauer: Wow! I never knew she was allergic to cats! I don’t think they ever had a cat and that is probably why.
Joanne Dick: Margaret and Roland were a big part of our lives growing up. They were beautiful dancers. I could share lots of fun times we had with them, Shellee.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: Uncle Roland played a great piano!
Shellee Sauer: I loved listening to him play! I have so many fond memories of him sitting at the piano with a grin on his face from ear to ear.
Julie Stillwell Sorenson: Does Union sound familiar? It is a tiny town on the Sound like I remember.
Tod Stillwell: That is the small town/community they live in for years along Hood Canal. They first rented right on the shoreline then Grampa Roland built a house for them in Union just a couple of blocks off the shoreline.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: It’s at the Hoods Canal on the Sound in Washington state.
Shellee Sauer: I do not remember a nursing home in Union. I do believe the nursing home was located in a nearby suburb. What you (Julie Stillwell Sorenson) sent me says Port Orchard. That sounds familiar!
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: They had a HOME on the Hoods Canal. I don’t know where Aunt Margaret ended up (Rest Home) but after she passed, Uncle Roland moved back to Kalispell. He ended up marrying Mom’s best friend Sadie and lived with her until her death. I think he stayed there in her house until his own illness, and I believe he was put a facility in Bigfork where ultimately, he passed. Certainly, Tod Orrin Stillwell and Cheryl who lived it know more.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey:
Port Orchard is not far, and could very well be the last place Margaret was. I highly doubt Union or the Hood’s Canal had anything more than a Private Senior Home situation.
Email from Shellee Sauer, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021:
I am sure Grandma Margaret died in Washington. Her body was taken to Kalispell and she and Grandpa Roland are buried in the cemetery located at the northwest side of Kalispell. Lonnie is also buried in same cemetery. Glacier Memorial Gardens is the name of cemetery.
Email from Orrin Martin “Tod” Stillwell, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021:
I'm sorry, Julie, I'm not sure where mom was exactly when she died, my father might have told me but not knowing the area, I'm just not sure.
I also don't have any information about when and where they were born. I think Arnegard is right for Mom. I really don't know anything about my Grandparents, other than my Grandma Stillwell. I loved her very much, both her and Bea.
They were a big part of my growing up. In all honesty they didn't talk much about the past life, although my Dad told me a little about him growing up and going to school on horseback. Also, he and Bea provided some of the music during the silent movies, especially Bea.
I love what you and Shellee are doing. It's really great.
Shellee Sauer shared a detailed email including lots of memories.
Grandma and Grandpa moved to Washington when I was young. But they came to Kalispell often to visit.
I remember Grandma made the best Christmas cookies and divinity! Another favorite was her thick Tom and Jerry batter. We kids got ours with hot milk, while the grownups had their own version, lol.
Grandma was also the best pancake maker.
Grandpa was the prankster! Always playing tricks on us kids. He had the most beautiful twinkle in his eyes. My kids thought he was a slot machine! A twist of his nose produced quarters from his ears!
Grandpa taught me to play pinochle. When there wasn't four to play we played a five-card version called cut throat. When I lived out in Washington with them for a few months, he, I and Grandma's brother Hank played just about every day in the late afternoon. A time they called Happy Hour, lol! It involved brandy on the rocks and a few games of cut throat. Both Grandpa and Hank took the game much more seriously than I did. Losing was never good.
Grandpa taught me to pick oysters and dig clams while out there. Favorite way to cook and eat them were cooked in the shells on the BBQ outdoors. Empty shells were then placed out for the seagulls to pick clean. Then they were taken back to the shoreline.
Grandpa loved to garden and always had an amazing garden. Grandma did a lot of canning and her pantry was always full of home-canned foods.
I loved to sit and listen to Grandpa play the piano. His eyes twinkled greatly and there was always a big grin on his face as he played. It was always fun when Dad accompanied him on the guitar.
Miss them both very much!
First, I’ll share what I have found through family history research, and then I’ll include memories shared by others.
Him:
Roland Wesley Stillwell was born Nov. 16, 1914, at Watford City, N.D. His parents were Orin Wesley and Mabel Mae Luella (Lamb) Stillwell. Siblings were Bea, Carl, Leona, Lester, Wayne Berdine (died age 2), and LaMoine.
At the time of the 1920 Federal Census, he lived in Schafer, N.D. with his parents and siblings Beatrice, Carl, Leona, and Lester.
At the time of the 1930 Federal Census, he lived in Watford City with his parents and siblings Bea, Carl, Lester, and LaMoine.
When Roland was 18 his father, Orin, died.
In 1940 the Federal Census listed him as a partner in a restaurant with his brother, Lester. It was located in Mayville, N.D. They lived with their widowed mother, Mabel, and youngest brother, LaMoine.
August 14, 1940, he married Margaret Ethel Quinnell.
Her:
Margaret Ethel Quinnell was born Jan. 2, 1918, in Arnegard, N.D. Her parents were Martin and Anne “Marie” (Wilson) Quinnell. Siblings were Lars, Anna, Henry, John Lewis, John Leonard, Adolph, Verna, and James.
Margaret’s mother died when Margaret was 18 and her father died when she was 21.
From Find A Grave website:
Margarette was born Jan. 2, 1918, at Arnegard, N.D., the daughter of Martin and Marie Anne Quinnell. Margarette was baptized and confirmed at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard and graduated from Arnegard High School in 1936. After graduation she was employed at the State Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., as a secretary for the Secretary of Agriculture. On August 14, 1940, she married Roland W. Stillwell in Bismarck. They lived in Watford City, Mayville and Lisbon, N.D., before moving to Kalispell, Mont., in 1964. They made their home in Union, Wash., since 1967. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Marie, a son, "Lonnie", and an older sister. Margarette passed away October 20, 1987, at Port Orchard Care Center in Port Orchard, Wash.
Them:
They were married Aug. 14, 1940. Their first child, Orin Martin “Tod” Stillwell was born July 2, 1943, in Williston, N.D. Their second child, Loren Roland “Lonnie” Stillwell was born in Williston Nov. 14, 1944.
Their last residence together was in Union on the Hood Canal.
Margaret died Oct. 21, 1987, in Port Orchard.
Roland married Sadie Elizabeth Harding Dawson Nov. 11, 1990. She was a best friend of Leona’s daughter, Shirley Loutherback.
Roland died June 14, 1997, in Kalispell, Mont. Roland and Margaret are buried in Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kalispell. It is the same cemetery where their son Lonnie was buried.
Facebook Memories:
Janis M. Jarvis: I remember Roland and Margaret.
Chuck Stevens: Mom and I went and saw Margaret in St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: They stayed with me in Portland, Ore., for a weekend when they came down from the Hoods Canal. Aunt Margaret struggled a lot. I smelled her insulin in the house for days after they left. Weird how a smell can linger after cleaning and washing the bedding. Uncle Roland was so patient and caring for her.
Jeff Sauer: One of my fond early memories with Roland and Margaret was playing pinochle with them in the house on Sixth Ave. in Valley City in 1983. They were quite competitive, but fun. I wish was had taken some pics.
Julie Stillwell Sorenson: My favorite story Mom told was when Roland and Margaret came to stay with us in a tiny old farmhouse while he helped build us a new home. They slept in a bed in an enclosed front porch and the first morning us kids dropped our cats on the bed. Margaret was allergic.
Shellee Sauer: Wow! I never knew she was allergic to cats! I don’t think they ever had a cat and that is probably why.
Joanne Dick: Margaret and Roland were a big part of our lives growing up. They were beautiful dancers. I could share lots of fun times we had with them, Shellee.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: Uncle Roland played a great piano!
Shellee Sauer: I loved listening to him play! I have so many fond memories of him sitting at the piano with a grin on his face from ear to ear.
Julie Stillwell Sorenson: Does Union sound familiar? It is a tiny town on the Sound like I remember.
Tod Stillwell: That is the small town/community they live in for years along Hood Canal. They first rented right on the shoreline then Grampa Roland built a house for them in Union just a couple of blocks off the shoreline.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: It’s at the Hoods Canal on the Sound in Washington state.
Shellee Sauer: I do not remember a nursing home in Union. I do believe the nursing home was located in a nearby suburb. What you (Julie Stillwell Sorenson) sent me says Port Orchard. That sounds familiar!
Sharla Loutherback Bailey: They had a HOME on the Hoods Canal. I don’t know where Aunt Margaret ended up (Rest Home) but after she passed, Uncle Roland moved back to Kalispell. He ended up marrying Mom’s best friend Sadie and lived with her until her death. I think he stayed there in her house until his own illness, and I believe he was put a facility in Bigfork where ultimately, he passed. Certainly, Tod Orrin Stillwell and Cheryl who lived it know more.
Sharla Loutherback Bailey:
Port Orchard is not far, and could very well be the last place Margaret was. I highly doubt Union or the Hood’s Canal had anything more than a Private Senior Home situation.
Email from Shellee Sauer, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021:
I am sure Grandma Margaret died in Washington. Her body was taken to Kalispell and she and Grandpa Roland are buried in the cemetery located at the northwest side of Kalispell. Lonnie is also buried in same cemetery. Glacier Memorial Gardens is the name of cemetery.
Email from Orrin Martin “Tod” Stillwell, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021:
I'm sorry, Julie, I'm not sure where mom was exactly when she died, my father might have told me but not knowing the area, I'm just not sure.
I also don't have any information about when and where they were born. I think Arnegard is right for Mom. I really don't know anything about my Grandparents, other than my Grandma Stillwell. I loved her very much, both her and Bea.
They were a big part of my growing up. In all honesty they didn't talk much about the past life, although my Dad told me a little about him growing up and going to school on horseback. Also, he and Bea provided some of the music during the silent movies, especially Bea.
I love what you and Shellee are doing. It's really great.
Shellee Sauer shared a detailed email including lots of memories.
Grandma and Grandpa moved to Washington when I was young. But they came to Kalispell often to visit.
I remember Grandma made the best Christmas cookies and divinity! Another favorite was her thick Tom and Jerry batter. We kids got ours with hot milk, while the grownups had their own version, lol.
Grandma was also the best pancake maker.
Grandpa was the prankster! Always playing tricks on us kids. He had the most beautiful twinkle in his eyes. My kids thought he was a slot machine! A twist of his nose produced quarters from his ears!
Grandpa taught me to play pinochle. When there wasn't four to play we played a five-card version called cut throat. When I lived out in Washington with them for a few months, he, I and Grandma's brother Hank played just about every day in the late afternoon. A time they called Happy Hour, lol! It involved brandy on the rocks and a few games of cut throat. Both Grandpa and Hank took the game much more seriously than I did. Losing was never good.
Grandpa taught me to pick oysters and dig clams while out there. Favorite way to cook and eat them were cooked in the shells on the BBQ outdoors. Empty shells were then placed out for the seagulls to pick clean. Then they were taken back to the shoreline.
Grandpa loved to garden and always had an amazing garden. Grandma did a lot of canning and her pantry was always full of home-canned foods.
I loved to sit and listen to Grandpa play the piano. His eyes twinkled greatly and there was always a big grin on his face as he played. It was always fun when Dad accompanied him on the guitar.
Miss them both very much!
