September 9, 1925-December 28, 2013

Cecilia Mae "Cec" Amundson, 88, formerly of Minot, died peacefully on December 28, 2013 at Warroad Senior Living Center in Warroad, Minnesota.

She was raised on the family's farm near Bottineau, North Dakota. Cec had three siblings: Emilie, Dan, and Rosemarie. In 1946 Cec became a registered nurse. She loved nursing, especially caring for newborn babies and their moms. After 44 years of nursing, Cec retired in 1990.

On February 12, 1947 Cec married Leo Michael Brannan. They had four children: Louise (Bob) Dignan of Warroad MN; Colleen Brannan of Green Bay WI; Steve (Nancy) Brannan of Garrison and Bismarck ND; and Barbara (Paul) Kemper of Aurora CO. Cec and Leo later divorced. Cec married Everett "Chick" Amundson on August 24, 1973. They traveled extensively and spent many winters in San Diego CA.

For many years Cec was actively involved at Vincent United Methodist Church in Minot. This strengthened her faith. She bowled in a coffee league for women and on a team with her son-in-law, Paul Kemper. Cec also enjoyed many forms of needlework: crewel, counted cross stitch, and needlepoint . She created treasured sequined Christmas stockings and tree skirts. Also, she embroidered dishtowels by the dozens.

Cec loved playing cards, especially bridge and whist. She was a fierce competitor.

Cec will be remembered by her four children: Louise, Colleen, Steve and Barb. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren: Greg (Kristina) Dignan and their daughters Sarah and Karissa; Jocelyn (Mark) Sloan and their children Martha and Jonah; Tom (Jennifer) Dignan and their daughter Kathryn; Andy (Terrie) Dignan and their children Timothy, Samantha, Joseph and Roselynn; Leo (Jonie) Dignan and their baby daughter expected in January 2014; Ben (Shannon) Dignan and their children Abigail, Aidan, and Caitlyn; Laura Dignan and her son Brayden; Keith (Lisa) Garbe and their daughters Calista and Lillian; Jay (Beth) Garbe and their daughters, Faith and Lacey; Stephanie (Al) Tillmann and their children Madeline and Henry; Candace Brannan and her children Michaela, Gabe, Riley, Jace, Nakya and Macully; Scott (Renita) Brannan and their sons Beau, Truitt and Rocco; Brent (Ellyn) Brannan; Patrick (Krista) Brannan and their children, Karlee and Kaci and Isaak; Bridget (Greg) Fedelem and their son Grady; Shawn Brannan; Julia (Jeff) Schmaltz and their daughters Grace and Maya. She is also survived by a sister, Rosemarie "Bud" Cote, sister-in-law, Florence McCann, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cec was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Emilie, Dan, Clinton, Harold and Dorothy, and by her brother-in-law, Clarence Cote. Her spouses, Leo Brannan and Chick Amundson and her companion Bernie Hadler.

Thank you for sharing this time with us as family and for sharing your lives with Cec. We are grateful that she is at rest. It was difficult to watch as Mom was overtaken by dementia. If you would like to give a donation in Mom's name, please consider Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota, 7900 West 78th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN, 55439; or St. Joseph's Community Health Foundation308 2nd Avenue SW Minot, ND 58701.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Warroad Senior Living Center for their years of exceptional care. We celebrate Mom, 44 years of nursing, 88 years of sharing, caring, loving and giving.

Mass of Christian Burial : Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Warroad, MN with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass in the church.
Prayer Service: Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Thomas Funeral Home, Minot with a visitation to be held one hour prior to the service.
Interment: in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
(Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot entrusted with local arrangements)