Avon Childs

A funeral service for Avon Childs, 91, of Killdeer will be 10:00 a. m. , Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer with Pastor Lisa Lewton officiating. Burial will follow in Killdeer Cemetery. Visitation for Avon will be from 5:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. , Monday, December 21, 2015 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer with a prayer service being held at 7:00 p. m. Avon passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer. Avon Elaine Paulson was born March 31, 1924, in Willmar, Minnesota to Edwin Ingvald Paulson and Alice “Rose” Lindquist. She went to her heavenly home December 16, 2015. Avon’s life was not easy. It was one of hard work and all too frequently marked by tragedy. She was a woman of great resilience and strength. She carried on with grace and dignity and a cheerful heart. Avon lost her beloved father before her sixth birthday, which resulted in her mother Rose, Avon and little sister Eunice moving from Minnesota and relocating to a farm in Mercer county, North Dakota to live with her mother’s parents, Andrew and Ida Lindquist, who had left Minnesota earlier. Rose remarried to Andrew Singer in 1933, when Avon was just 9 years old, and Eunice 5. Andrew moved in to the household, as (Grandma) Ida Lindquist, was now alone. Andrew and Rose started their own young family, adding to the brood. In the spring of 1943, they decided to pack up Singer kids and try their luck at farming out west. Avon had married Clifford Wing in 1942. Avon and Eunice stayed behind in North Dakota, promising to look after Grandma Ida, with whom they had an especially close relationship. Avon and Clifford welcomed their first child, Gary Wayne Wing in 1943. They had one more child together, Karen Avon Wing. Tragically, both died young. Gary in a car accident at the age of 16, and Karen to Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 2. Sadly, Avon and Clifford divorced later. Happier times lay ahead. Avon was sent to Killdeer as a bookkeeper to help Donald “Pinky” Childs at the Peavey lumber yard that he managed. The two soon fell in love and married. The union was blessed with a precious son, Derrick Winfield Childs. Avon and Don worked hard, happily side by side in the lumber yard, and later as owners of Pinky’s Club from 1970 to 2005. Never one to be idle, Avon also worked many side jobs in her life, from selling sewing patterns and Fuller Brushes to World Book encyclopedias. Everyone remembers her as the perfect “Avon lady” as she worked for that company for nearly 30 years until 2005, and was a proud member of The President’s Club. Her Mrs. Albee Avon figurines were among her favorite possessions. Avon was the very definition of a lady. She was lovely inside and out. She was always quick with a smile, gracious and hospitable. She was sensible and very down to earth, yet she had a certain elegance about her that was undeniable. Avon’s love for people and her tender heart for animals were life-long. She prided herself on being a horsewoman who competed in sidesaddle events and welcomed many rescue pets into her life, including a baby raccoon that came in and out like a cat. Avon just loved visiting and she loved her coffee! She could never stop at just one cup. Whether playing whist, or just talking, spending time with her was always delightful. She would reminisce about the past, telling interesting stories. She was always engaged and interested in those around her, especially her beloved son, Derrick and her nieces, Twilla, Laureen, Sheralee, and Lynette with whom she was very close. Avon was preceded in death by her parents, son Gary Wing and daughter Karen Wing, husband Donald Childs, sisters Eunice and Nyla, and brother Doug. She leaves her beloved son Derrick (Sonja) and only grandchild, Tara, her special nieces, whom she considered daughters: Twilla (John) Jacobson, Laureen (John) Keller and family, Sheralee (Shane) Dolezal and Lynette Phillips; and one sister, Ina (Steve) Hennessy, brothers DelRoy (Judy) Singer, Darnell (Judy) Singer, Doyle (Sherry) Singer as well as many other beloved relatives and in-laws. She is remembered fondly by all who had the privilege to know her.


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Burial Date: December 22, 2015
Church St. John's Lutheran Church

Funeral Service: Tuesday: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND