Funeral services for Muriel Bandy, age 86, of Glenham will be at 2 PM, Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the Norway Lutheran Church North of Glenham. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 2 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Muriel passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Montrose, CA.

Muriel Gwendolyn Bandy (nee Tronson) was born January 1, 1924 in Lakefield, Minnesota, to Edwin O. and Constance A. Tronson. She passed away August 11, 2010, in Montrose, California, at the age of 86 years.

Muriel spent her early years on the family farmstead north of Glenham, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She was confirmed by Pastor Ole Larson Stensby in 1939, and during her years at Mobridge high school she resided with Pastor and Mrs. Stensby at their home in Mobridge. Muriel, her sister Joyce Evensen, and cousin, Audrey Owens were a choral trio that sang at local social and church events and were well known for their musical talents.

In her senior year at Mobridge high school, Muriel was elected home-coming queen. Upon graduation she traveled to Glendale, California where she resided with her aunt and uncle, Olaus and Hilda Hodnefield. There she obtained her Associate of Arts degree from Glendale College and was their home-coming queen in 1943.

From 1944 to 1946, Muriel continued her education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She was a soloist with the St. Olaf College Choir under the direction of Olaf Christiansen. Upon graduation from St. Olaf, Muriel began her teaching career in voice and piano.

On July 2, 1950, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Lakefield, Minnesota, Muriel was wed to Morris E. Bandy. Unto this union, four children were born: Constance L. Guritz, G. Edwin Bandy, Mark S. Bandy, and Tron P. Bandy. Muriel also adopted her two step-sons, Michael M. Bandy and Roger W. Bandy. All her children are grateful for the educational, musical, and spiritual guidance that Muriel gave tirelessly to them.

Muriel was the Iowa State Republican Chairwoman from 1964 to 1966, a member of the Sons of Norway, Edvard Grieg lodge, and a member of Norway Lutheran Church, Glenham, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Bandy in 1968, her parents Edwin O. and Constance A. Tronson, her brother Arden C. Tronson, and sister Arlene C. Liccardi.

She is survived by her sister Joyce Evensen, of Oro Grande, CA, her six children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.