Lucille E. Gau

1928 - 2024

Lucille Edna Gau, 96, Fargo, ND passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, at Eventide Senior Living under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando with Fr. Daniel Musgrave celebrating.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be at the Union Cemetery in Egeland. ND. 

Lucille Edna Odegaard was born September 23, 1928, in rural Towner County, North Dakota, the daughter of Peter and Mae (Rasmussen) Odegaard. She was one of thirteen children. She was raised on the family farm and attended school at Egeland Public School in Egeland, ND.

On November 25,1946 she married the love of her life, Harry Nicolas Gau at Calio, ND. They had two children, Ricky and Cynthia.  Following their marriage, the couple lived at Egeland, Bisbee and Rock Lake, ND. Upon retiring in 1985 they moved to Cando, ND and were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In 2012, she moved to Fargo, ND to be closer to her family. 

Lucy was a farm wife, and she worked in the grocery stores at Egeland, Bisbee and Rock Lake, ND.  When not working in the grocery store, she baby sat from her home where several children called her “Grandma Lucy”.   She also wrote the news for the Towner County Record Herald for over 25 years. 

She painted Artex on Flowers of the State bedspreads, table clothes and other small items.  She would help with cutting strips of cloth for quilting at the Lutheran church of Cando, as she felt that was safest task for her.  “I’m not a seamstress, as you all know!” she would say. 

Lucy was an incredible cook with many Sunday family dinners served at her home with a good pinochle or poker game to be played afterwards.  Faith, family and playing cards were her love. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family and friends.

Lucy is survived by her son, Ricky “Rick” (Barbara) Gau, Valley City, ND, and daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Cose, Fargo, ND.  She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jill (Richard “Rick”) Klose, Kindred, ND, Ranetta (Waylan) Starr, Valley City, ND, Brooke (Karma) Cose, Fargo, ND, Roxianne Gau, Fargo, ND; great grandchildren: Stephanie (Garrett) Schilling, Bismarck, ND, Cooper Cose, Rock Lake, ND, Amanda (Christopher) Erickson, Hope, ND, Braden (Ashley) Klose, LaMoure, ND, Alexa Gau, Fargo, ND, Connor Cose, Rock Lake, ND, Emily Cose, Fargo, ND, Chase Cose, Fargo, ND.; Step-Great Grandchildren: Koltyn (Matthew) Schmaltz, Fargo, ND, Jordyn Klose, West Fargo, ND; Great Great Grandchildren Berkley Erickson, Hope, ND, Bentley Erickson, Hope, ND; sister Doris “Dorie” Johnson, Cando, ND, sister-in-law Mary Odegaard, Clovis, NM and many nephew and nieces. 

She was proceeded in death by her husband Harry, parents Peter and Mae, siblings Alfred, Pauline, Florence, Howard, Louella, Alvin, Robert, Donald, Everette, Wayne and Anna Mae. Two Grandchildren: Marty (JoAnn) Cose, Robbyn LaBarre. Two Great Grandchildren: Trevor Cose and Paige Cose