Gwen L. Solien

Gwen Lee Solien died on July 2, 2019 at Eventide Fargo.  Gwen was born March 10, 1926 in Fargo ND to Nels and Olga (Vigness) Lee. She grew up in a family made of her parents, a wonderful Grandmother and with two sisters, Wanda and Patricia.  Gwen attended Agassiz Junior High and Central High School where she enjoyed many friendships within “ The Potluck” . This group of friends stayed in touch their whole lives through visits and round robins of letters and photos.

After graduation from Fargo Central in 1944, Gwen attended NDAC (NDSU) where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta National Sorority.  Late in her second year she fell in love with Wally Solien, a returning Navy veteran.  They were married in Fargo on August 16^th, 1946.  Gwen worked for the International Harvester Branch Office in Fargo while Wally completed his college education. When they started their family, they were blessed with four wonderful children, Timothy Lee (TL), Mary Jane (Janie), Daniel Mark and Thomas Paul. Gwen stayed at home with her children until Tommy was ready for school.

Gwen began a career in healthcare management first working as a bookkeeper/secretary for Americana Healthcare in Moorhead in 1966. When the Fargo facility was built, Gwen transferred there as Office Manager and the Assistant Administrator.  She became the Administrator of the Moorhead facility for a year in 1970 and the returned to Fargo to manage the American Healthcare which later became Manor Care.  She was the Administrator there until her retirement in 1985.  She served on the ND Long Term Care Assoc. as a board member for several terms.  Gwen was appointed by Gov. Arthur Link to serve on the Licensure Board for Nursing Home Administrators for a term.

Gwen, Wally and their family enjoyed many years at their home on Pelican Lake. In 1998, they returned to Moorhead to live.  Gwen grew up a member of St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo, and after marriage the family became members of Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead. Gwen thoroughly enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother and GG, they were the best of times.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Wally Solien; her parents, Nels and Olga Lee; sisters, Wanda (Richard) Goecke and Patricia (Clayton) Melby; and an infant grand -daughter, (TL & Deborah). Gwen is survived by her children TL (Deborah), Janie Olson, Dan (Kris) and Thomas (Roberta); grandchildren, Madeline (Andrew) Dahlman, Carson (Meghan) Solien, Emily (Erik) Hatch, Maggie (Eric) Hartmann, Katie and Peter Solien, Gracie (Brandon) Heide, Emmett and August Solien; and great grandchildren, Sullivan Dahlman, Finley and Simon Hatch, Miles Hartmann ,Lorelei and Julian Heide.  As well she leaves behind loved nieces and nephews and their families.

We would like to thank the staff of Eventide FARGO for the compassionate care and friendship they provided our mother and for Hospice of RRV for their additional support and comfort in her last days.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2019, at 12:30 p.m., at Prairie Home Cemetery in Moorhead, MN.