Goldie Marie Dresden

Goldie Marie Dresden was born on March 20th 1919 to Carl and Lizzie Nelson of Adams County North Dakota. Goldie passed away on Monday December 1st, 2014 at the age of 95 at St Agnes Hospital in Fresno Ca, with her daughter DeLana at her side.

Her father Carl Nelson delivered her into this world at home, as he did all 8 of her siblings. They lived so far out in the country that the doctor was never able to make it out in time. Goldie grew to be an excellent cook and seamstress, dancer and card player as there wasn’t much to do during cold North Dakota Winters. Goldie graduated from Lemon High School in Lemon South Dakota. Goldie was introduced to the handsome Lanoie Dresden by her older brother Cliff who was a good friend of his. She married Lanoie Dresden on July 16th, 1939. Their only daughter DeLana Marie was born in March 1940. Goldie was an excellent homemaker and mother. She was blessed by not having to work outside of the home during her lifetime. She and Lanoie lived for each other. Occasionally if he needed to work out of town Goldie made arrangements for DeLana to stay with friends so that she could join him for the drive. After DeLana was grown Goldie even spent several months with him in Alaska where he was working on a gold mine claim. Goldie and Lanoie once owned a bowling alley and pool hall in Chester California. Goldie became an avid bowler and enjoyed bowling in leagues for many years. She also became an avid pool player. This came in handy when strangers would come in and figure this tiny woman was an easy mark just before she beat them! Lanoie and Goldie always helped all of their family and friends when anyone was in need. Goldie and Lanoie were married for 65 years until his death in 2004. With Lanoie gone, Goldie lived for her daughter DeLana and her son-in-law Jim Riedel. Goldie was baptized into the Catholic Church by Msgr. Perry Kavookjian at the Saint Paul Newman Center in December 2004. Goldie was great at playing Blackjack. At a St. Johns Carnival she played so well and kept winning so many tickets that the carnival committee then asked her to start dealing for the church. Goldie was preceded in death by the love of her life husband Lanoie Dresden, her beloved son-in-law Jim Riedel and Carrie Dresden-Jones, whom she raised as her daughter. She was also preceded in death by all of her siblings; Clifford Nelson, Lester Nelson, Robert Nelson, Marian Olson, Vera Skjoldal and Esther Nelson. Two other siblings died in infancy. Goldie is survived by her daughter DeLana Riedel of Clovis, granddaughter Keri O’Keefe, great granddaughter Brittania O’Keefe, Michael Caldwell of Crescent Valley NV, who became a son to her in her heart, and her constant companion, dachshund Pepper Marie Little Red Riedel. She also leaves behind her step grandchildren Brian and Ann Riedel of Hollywood CA, Kathy Riedel of Fresno CA, Michael and Deborah Riedel of Fredericksburg VA.