99 Year-Old Logging Queen Passes

From Ella's Obituary: Ella Signora Lindquist (June 27, 1910 - February 21, 2010)

She traveled with her husband who did logging and trucking for construction. She babysat many children, baked bread to sell, and enjoyed berry picking. In 1987, she was elected Logging Queen for Buena Vista Logging Days. “She always wore a hat and always dresses, not pants.” She loved being in many of the area’s parades.

From the Bemidji Pioneer 3/2/10: In one of her last public appearances, Lindquist was a special feature of the 2006 Bemidji Jaycees Water Carnival Parade. Without a formal registration for the parade, Ella took a taxi from her home to the center of the parade lineup. Supporting herself on her walker, she regally bade a young woman, “Find me a float.”

Michael Meuers was set up to drive a shiny convertible in the parade to lead marchers who were supporting political candidates. Beltrami Deputy Brian Ball asked Meuers, “Will you give her a ride?” “I’d be honored,” Meuers said.

“You can’t imagine how happy I was because he told everyone I was the Logging Queen,” Lindquist said at the time.

For Your Consideration: Written at the time it happened.

(Photograph, July 2, 2006 2:34:15 PM)

One of the most impressive rituals of the ancient world was the Triumph parade of imperial Rome. According to ritual a humble slave, was required to stand behind the Triumphator and whisper into his ear these words: "Sic Transit Gloria" ("All Glory is Fleeting").

Something interesting happened to 96 year old "Logging Queen for life", Ella Lindquist on her way to the 4th of July parade in Bemidji. She "hasn't missed one in forever" she says, and wasn't going to miss this one either.

She takes a cab from her care home, gets out near the center of the parade line-up accompanied by her walker. Someone quickly finds her a chair. Ella bids a young woman "Find me a float".

Deputy Sheriff Brian Ball asks Michael Meuers who is driving alone leading a mini-parade of senate candidate supporters, “will you give her a ride”? "I'd be honored" says Meuers.

Along the way, Ella expounds words of wisdom softly and slowly in near a whisper, "live one day at a time" says Ella, "and if you reach my age, live an hour at a time". She says how much she is enjoying being with me at this moment, an experience I share.

She is barely able to see over the top of the car door, while those on the street see a deeply lined face, with saucer size glasses beneath a straw hat strapped beneath her chin.

From time to time she waves and says softly to the crowd that she is the Logging Queen, the Irish Queen and an official resident of Winnipeg.

Few notice and fewer recognize the long time Queen and say hello. She waves but her arm tires as part of a frail body. She rests for a time while sipping water before raising her arm again.

I point out that there is no sign on the car that identifies her royalty, which is probably why more do not wave. Ella says "you were supposed to bring it". Somehow I'm sorry.

Nearing the end of the parade, I wonder how the long-time Queen had been forgotten and marvel at the fleeting of time in a personal way. A certain melancholy rises blended with an appreciation of Providence.

Then I realize I know not where Ella lives and a new adventure begins.