Obituary of Ottilie Ruth Wollan

Wollan, Ottilie Ruth ("Billie," née Bergdahl) age 90, of Bloomington died Dec. 26, 2014 of natural causes. Born in Chicago on August 29, 1924 to Ottilie Unger and Hjalmar Bergdahl. As a young woman, she apprenticed with a women's clothing designer on Chicago's North Shore. She graduated from Chicago's Senn High School and in 1944 from William Woods College in Fulton, MO, where she met her future husband, the late John Poindexter of Kansas City. The couple, who were married for 33 years, settled in Chicago and moved the family to Minneapolis in 1961. Billie became active in local politics and as a volunteer at Abbott (Northwestern) Hospital, later joining the staff. She served as the Abbott Hospital Auxiliary president and in other leadership roles both as a volunteer and an employee until her retirement in 1986. But the main focus of Billie's life was always her extended family. She hosted countless birthday parties, holiday gatherings and other events, lovingly supporting every family member through good times and bad. Her devotion was crucial to the recovery and rehabilitation of her daughter, Adele, who contracted polio in 1951. Billie was an exceptionally gifted knitter and for over 30 years shared her skill with her "Knitters" -- a remarkable group of friends and life coaches. In 1979, Billie married Gerald Wollan. In the course of a long and happy marriage they shared a love of music, theatre, art, travel and reading. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her son David, and her sister Charlotte Matthys; she leaves behind her husband Gerald; son Stephen Poindexter (Ceil Critchley), grandchildren Katherine Poindexter, Charlotte West and David Poindexter, and great-grandchildren Jacob and Madeline, Caroline and Serena, Ethan, Caitlin, and Matthew; daughter Adele Evidon (Richard), grandsons Michael and Justin and great-grandson Bill; and son Jonathan Poindexter (Katherine), grandsons William, Joshua, and Colin. She is also survived by her stepchildren Eric, Chris, and Lisa Wollan, two step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Westminster Church, Mpls, on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 3:00. The family extends special thanks to the staff of Wealshire of Bloomington, who looked after Billie so well during her final illness. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.