Ethel Viola (Halse) Quandahl, age 89 of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101, with pastor Randy Kittelson presiding. Burial will follow at Springwater Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

Ethel was born in Winneshiek County on the home farm. She was the daughter of Ruby (Nelson) and Raymond Halse.

Ethel was a life long member-of the Hauge Church and Winneshiek County resident. She attended Bur Oak Schools, Lost Nation Country School, and graduated from Decorah High School. Ethel married Allen Quandahl on August 28, 1955, in Lancaster, MO. To this union, 3 children were born: Rebecca Florence, Raymond Allen, and Timothy James. Ethel and Allen farmed together on his family farm north of Decorah. Together, the two of them worked milking cows and growing crops. Many days you would see her on the tractor raking hay. She also worked at Luther College for many years and later was a waitress at the Burr Oak Mercantile. Ethel loved making apple pies. If you were lucky enough to get one, you know they were the best. She was a skilled embroiderer and cross-stitcher. Making many beautiful quilts, pillowcases, and dish towels for all her family.

Ethel is survived by: Children: Becky (Steve) Brower, Raymond (Julie) Quandahl, Timothy (Raedene) Quandahl. Grandchildren: Kari (Jason) Lee, Allison (Kurt) Walch, Brian (Sammie) Brower, Justin (Andrea) Brower, Cory (Selina) Quandahl, Casey (Annie) Quandahl, John (Shannon) Quandahl, Jason (Tricia) Quandahl, Sherry (Randy) Dawley. Great Grandchildren: Isabella and Tristan Lee, Avery, Aubrey, and Ashlynn Brower, Brock and Maddux Eglseder, Kaylee Walch, Addison and Annika Quandahl, Brody and Charlie Quandahl, Kayla (Tye) Anderson, Kylia and Kaiden Quandahl, Miaja and Landyn Quandahl, Danial, Blake, and Ashley Dawley. Great Great-grandchild Everly Viola Anderson. Sister Carol Bullerman, Brother Earnest Topness, and Sister-in-law Kay Nelson.

Ethel is preceded in death by: her husband Allen Quandahl, her great-granddaughter Kaitlyn Quandahl, her sister Madonna Mathison, her brother, Stanley Nelson, her brothers-in-law Gerald Bullerman and Melvin Mathison, her parents Ruby and Raymond Halse, Mother/Father-in-law Addie & Ludwig Quandahl.