E. Mardelle Aukland

E. Mardelle Aukland, 98, of Orion, IL, passed away, January 14, 2026, at New Perspective Senior Living, Silvis.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Orion. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., prior to services on Friday at the church. Interment will be at Lutheran Cemetery, Orion. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Orion.

Mardelle was born on June 21, 1927, in Moline, IL, the daughter of Henning and Nora (Julene) Anderson. She married Wallace B. Aukland at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Orion on March 20, 1953; he preceded her in death on June 9, 2008. Mardelle worked at International Harvester in East Moline. After the birth of her children, she became a full-time homemaker. This allowed her to be active and involved in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s activities.

Mardelle was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Orion. She once served as financial secretary and is a former member of the Carnation Circle of the church. Mardelle was in their adult choir for over 50 years. She loved to play the piano at nursing homes and would often be the soloist for numerous weddings and funerals. She was also a member of the Orion American Legion Auxiliary and Clara Lodge No. 118 IOV, Moline Vikings Club. Mardelle enjoyed going to Bible study at church, playing bingo and using the NuStep in the fitness room at New Perspective, and enjoyed attending the YMCA. She also enjoyed watching the Cubs, the Bulls, and regularly attended various Orion High School sports games.

Survivors include her daughters, Nancy (David) Chandler of Broken Arrow, OK, and Norine (Jerry) Sandau of Coal Valley, IL; grandchildren, Courtney (Phillip) Long of Dallas, TX, Bryce (Clarice) Chandler of Bixby, OK, Scott Chandler of Concord, NC, Lindsey Sandau of Coal Valley, IL, Leslie (Jeff) Carey of Milan, IL, and Tyler (Nikki) Sandau of Moline, IL; great-grandchildren, Nora, Julene, and Eliza Long, and Eli, Luke, and Gabriel Chandler, and Emilia and Eleanor Carey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Carolyn Abrahamson, and brother-in-law Jerry Abrahamson.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.