Margaret Barbara Horner Marthe-Nelson Funeral Home website
Margaret B. Marthe, 85, of Esmond, ND, died Friday, February 1, 2013, at the Carrington Health Center in Carrington, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 10:30 AM at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond with Fr. Brian Bachmeier, celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Gene Garman will be the Lector; Julie Mellema and Jenna Mellema, Gift Bearers. Visitation will be Tuesday at the church from 4 to 7pm with a 7:00 PM Rosary followed by a Parish Vigil Service at 7:30 PM all in the church. Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Mike Mertens, Mike Mellema, Jeff Mellema, James Rickford, Jason Mellema, Kelly Marthe, Philip Hoff, Christopher Hoff, Jared Marthe, Ronald Marthe, Greg Marthe and Todd Marthe. Honorary casket bearers will be: her granddaughters and great-grandchildren, members of the St. Boniface Christian Mothers, the Esmond VFW Auxiliary and the members of the Round Table at the Esmond Cafe. Music will be from the St. Boniface Choir with Helen Arnold, organist.
Margaret Barbara Horner was born March 23, 1927 at Wing, ND, to Jacob and Theresia Horner. The family moved to Esmond when she was a junior in high school. Margaret graduated from the Esmond High School in 1945 and worked in her parents grocery store until her marriage to Ervin Lorenz Marthe on December 30, 1946 in Esmond. The couple lived and farmed south of Esmond. Margaret painted and varnished houses and also worked at Warehouse Grocery in Harvey as a baker. Ervin passed away January 29, 1999. Margaret was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Esmond VFW Auxiliary and the Round Table at the Esmond Café. Margaret enjoyed gardening, crocheting, puzzle books, reading and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her children: Rick (Betty) Marthe of Pullman, WA, Joan Mellema of Cass Lake, MN, Louise (Jim) Rickford of Fargo, Rob (Donna) Marthe of Harvey, Mary (Anton) Hoff of Bowdon and Tim (Deb) Marthe of Fargo; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters: Rosa Owens of Wadsworth, Ohio and Renil Hansen of Devils Lake; sisters-in-law: Hildegard Garman of West St. Paul, MN and Gerry Horner of Chicago, IL; a brother-in-law: Bob Brown of West Fargo; numerous step grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband: Ervin; parents; a daughter: Carol; brothers: Edward, Albert and Theodore; a great-granddaughter: Haylee Oye and sons-in-law: Cecil Mertens and Jim Mellema.
Gwen A Chilson Moller-Nelson Funeral Home website
Gwen A. Moller, 85, of Rugby, ND, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at her home in Rugby. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rugby with Pastor Joel Brandvold officiating. Burial will be in the Priscilla Watts Cemetery at Rugby. Visitation will be Friday at the church from 5 to 7pm with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service and Time of Sharing. Active casket bearers will be: Wally Bisbee, Bob Silliman, Gary Laughridge, Hartley Hageness, Lyle Long, Don Haugen and Tim Tuchscherer. Honorary bearers will be: Joe Tuchscherer, Paul Tufte, Joe Black, Gary & Judy Kelly, Gillman Gunderson, Randy Gunderson, Jim Whalen and Ken Hanson. Music will be from: Roy Hope and Jodi Schaan vocalists with Dianne Montonye, organist. The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds is in charge of the arrangements.
Gwen A. Chilson was born August 11, 1927 at Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of John and Nina Chilson. The family moved in the 1930’s to a farm in Pierce County. Gwen graduated from the Rugby High School in 1944 and then attended Concordia College for several years. While teaching school in York, she met and married Thomas Moller July 9, 1950 at Knox, ND. The couple lived in York and operated Moller’s INC. They moved to Rugby in 1998.
Gwen was a longtime member of York Lutheran Church, its Ladies Aid, along with Mayme Silliman as an organist for many years. She also served as the Sunday School Superintendent, led devotions at circle meetings and taught the Bethel Bible Series. In Rugby, Gwen was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the LWML. During high school, she worked as a bookkeeper at the Farmers Union Oil in Rugby. For over 40 years she was the bookkeeper at Moller’s Inc in York. She was devoted to the Lord and was very active in community and county affairs. Gwen enjoyed playing the piano and organ, reading, crocheting, sewing, and was especially proud her grand and great-grandchildren.
Grateful having shared in her life were her husband of 63 years: Tommy of Rugby; her children: Greg (Deb) Moller of Leeds, Peggy (Scott) Thompson of Kansas City, KS and Thomas D. (Mamar) Moller of York; 8 grandchildren: Nichole (Dana) McIntyre, Rebecca (Casey) Darling, Skye (Lane) Leedahl, Amber Folkert, Vanessa Johnson, Valerie Crane, Jake (Sara) Thompson and Ryan Thompson; 9 great-grandchildren: Eliana and Alexandra Darling, Finn Leedahl, Emmett Johnson, Capri Crane, Isabelle, Isaac, Jacob and Alice Thompson; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother: John Chilson and a sister: Lois Heidlebaugh. May she rest in peace.
Ruth Alfstad Nelson-Nelson Funeral Home website
Ruth A. Nelson, 98, of Maddock, ND, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at the Heart of America Medical Center Hospital in Rugby, ND. Funeral services will be Friday, November 9, 2012, 11:00 AM at Viking Lutheran Church, rural Maddock, with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday November 8, 2012 from 4 to 7pm with a 7pm Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock. Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Jon Nelson, Tim Hugelen, Steven Stoa, Wayne Stoa, Dan Hugelen, David Rice, Donald Rice and Travis Smith. Honorary bearers are the staff and residents of Maddock Memorial Home. Music for the service will be from Audrey Hugelen, pianist with Jim Gilbertson and Arlyss Bergrud, vocalists.
Ruth A. Alfstad was born July 19, 1914 in Valhalla, Twp, rural Sheyenne, ND, to Alvin and Hilda (Mattson) Alfstad. She attended the Valhalla grade school and also Sheyenne High School. Following the death of her mother, Ruth cared for her infant brother. Ruth married Alvin G. Nelson on July 31, 1934 at her parents home. The couple lived on the farm in South Viking Township until moving to Maddock in 1951. They returned to the farm in 1963. Alvin passed away on September 8, 1985. Ruth moved into Maddock in 1986 and remained in her home until 2001. She then moved into an assisted living apartment in the Maddock Memorial Home. She had just recently become a resident of the Heart of America Medical Center Long Term Care in Rugby, ND. Ruth and Alvin traveled to Hawaii, Norway and spent a number of winters in Arizona.
Ruth was baptized, confirmed and a member of the Eden Lutheran Church rural Sheyenne until her marriage. She was a member of Viking Lutheran Church and its WELCA, a member of the Maddock Sons of Norway, a Homemakers Club, Maddock 55 Club, Harvey Eagles Auxiliary, Devils Lake Elks Auxiliary and bowled with the Grandmas. Ruth enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking, canning and was an avid rummy card player at the Memorial Home. She embroidered and constructed the Bunad that she is wearing today and enjoyed wearing it for many Norwegian events. The Hardanger apron was made for her by granddaughter, Chris Hugelen-Johnson.
Surviving are her children: Donna Rice of Maddock, Alva (Don) Stoa of Fergus Falls, MN, Sandra (Dale) Olson of Maddock, Loren Nelson of Peoria, AZ and Marsha (Irv) Smith of Bismarck; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and a sister: Helen Thueson of Anaheim, CA. Preceding her in death was her husband; sons-in-law: Lowell Hugelen and Jerry Rice; brothers: Hilding, Gordon, Jarvis and Norman Alfstad; sisters: Betty Kitzman, Iva Grant, Thelma Brandt, Julia Noraker, Violet Scheulke and an infant sister.
Vernice Audrey Burgess Nielson-Nelson Funeral Home website
Vernice A. Nielsen, 94, of Oberon, ND, died Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at the Carrington Health Center in Carrington. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 3, 2012, 2:00 PM at Calvary Lutheran Church in Oberon with Pastor Natasha Woitzel-Kolles officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery at Oberon. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7pm followed by a Time of Sharing at 7PM in the Nelson Funeral Home at Minnewaukan. Visitation will continue Saturday at the church an hour before the service. Active casket bearers will be her grandsons: Barry, Corey & Jeremy Ploium, Christopher Kirby, Andrew, Adam, Alexander, Jason and Casey Nielsen. Honorary bearers will be her granddaughters: Karen Figg, Sarah Tollefson, Rachel Nielsen, Jodi Pike, Sheri Ploium, Adrienne Kirby, Angie Clarke and the members of the Gerald A. Haskins American Legion Auxiliary Post #122 of Oberon. Music will be from Cindy Hegland, organist with Jared Kolless, vocalist.
Vernice Audrey Burgess was born November 11th, 1917 in Minnewaukan, ND at the family home. She was the second of four children born to Hulda Katherine Geske & Isaac Derwood Burgess. She was reared and educated in Minnewaukan. The family spent a couple of years living near the Geske family ranch northeast of Oberon. Vernice worked in her early years as a housekeeper for Charlie Olson and Walter & Clarabell McDonald. She also helped maintain the family home.
On June 17th, 1941 Vernice married Jens Nielsen at the Sheyenne Parsonage. After her marriage, she was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Oberon. Vernice helped Jens at the Nielsen Butcher Shop. Following their marriage, they lived in Oberon and moved into their lifelong home in 1942. Vernice worked at the Oberon School in her later years and served lunches at the Oberon Senior Center.
One of her greatest loves was sharing time and fellowship with her family and friends around her dining room table. Vernice loved to bake, cook, garden and sew. She was very creative in fixing and repairing things. Vernice and Jens enjoyed traveling together in their later years.
Vernice was an active member of Calvary LCW and Rebekkah Lodge. She was also a member of the Gerald A. Haskins American Legion Post #122 Auxiliary and the Oberon Senior Center group. Vernice lived in her home until October 29th, 2012. She died October 30th, 2012 at the Carrington Health Center.
She leaves to mourn in her passing her children, Eugene (Janice) Nielsen, Reynolds, ND; Eloise (Kenny) Ploium, Oberon, ND; Junita (Jake) Goertzen, Horndean, MB; Kirby (Mary) Nielsen, Fargo, ND; her brother, Lloyd Burgess, Minnewaukan, ND; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Vernice was preceded in death by her husband, Jens (1987); son, Rodney Nielsen (2006); brothers Eugene Burgess (1995) and Derwood “Dody” Burgess (1985); and her parents, Isaac and Hulda Burgess.
Violet L Martian Nilson- Nilson Funeral Home website
Violet L. Nilson, 87, Maddock, ND, died Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 18, 2013, 11:00 AM at St. William’s Catholic Church in Maddock, with Fr. Brian Bachmeier, celebrant. Burial will be later this spring in Greenwood Cemetery, rural Maddock. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6:30 PM followed by a Rosary at 6:30 and a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM all in the church. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren. Honorary bearers will be the members of the St. William’s Catholic Church Christian Mothers and the Maddock 55 Club. Music will be from Melissa Benson, Shelby Brandvold and Becky Brandvold.
Violet L. Martian was born September 22, 1925 rural Esmond, ND, to Anton and Anne (Hoffner) Martian. She was baptized at the Odessa Catholic Church. Violet attended North Fork rural grade school and graduated from the Esmond High School. Violet attended Minot Teachers College, receiving the Standard Teaching Certificate, and taught at the Arne Township and East Fork Township Schools. On November 4, 1946 Violet and Mandy Nilson were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond. They farmed in Arne Township until July of 1980 when they moved into Maddock. She worked a number of years at the Grill in Maddock. Mandy Nilson passed away February 28, 1997.
A devout Catholic, Violet was a member of St. William’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Altar Society in Maddock. She was a member and past president of the Maddock 55 Club, volunteered at Senior Meals and the Wore Before Store and a member of the Arne Homemakers Club. Violet also served on the Maddock Park Board for a number of years. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, all gardening, baking, music, dancing and playing pinochle. Above all, she dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her children: Deb (Pat) Feist of Tacoma, WA, Corlyce (Troy) Wallner of Fargo, Gary (Carol Becker) Nilson of Maddock, Michael (Susan) Nilson of West Fargo, ND, Mary Ann Stael von Holstein of Moorhead, MN, Lynn (Ellen) Nilson of Fargo, ND, and Darren Nilson of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Robyn Triebold (Matt) Lempner, Laura Triebold (Creighton) Laughary, Mckensie Wallner, Christopher Nilson, Kallista Nilson, Chloe Nilson, Alex Stael von Holstein and his fiance, Shelly Atchison, Christina Stael von Holstein, Hannah Stael von Holstein, Dan Goerger & fiancé Heather McElroy, Brandon Nilson and Ryan Nilson; great grandchildren: Elliott Lempner, Parker Lempner, Micah Laughary and Leyvie Laughary; siblings: Kay Burgard of Franklin, WI, Jane (Louis) Gerlach of Enumclaw, WA, Alice Wack of Esmond, ND, Betty (Gene) Wentz of Des Moines, WA, Tony (Bernie) Martian of Helena, MT, Thomas (Barb) Martian of Yuma, AZ and Adella Feil of Lewiston MT; sisters-in-law: Kathy Martian of Towner, ND, Margaret Martian of Rocklin, CA and Betty Martian of Grand Forks, ND. Violet was preceded in death by her husband; infant daughter: Sheryl; brothers: Frank Martian, Edmond Martian, Nick Martian and Raymond Martian; sisters: Anne Skrede and Emma Garman.
Ardell E Urness Olson-Nelson Funeral Home website
Ardell E. Olson, 86, of Cando, ND, formerly of rural Minnewaukan, died Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 3, 2012, 2:00 PM at the Leeds Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Budd officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from noon until the time of service. Casket bearers will be: Jerry Hoeppner, son-in-law; Daniel Hoeppner, grandson; Greg Urness, Bryce Urness, Kevin Urness and Jeff Urness, nephews.
Ardell E. Urness was born in Leeds, ND on March 17, 1926 to Clarence and Frances (Fox) Urness. The oldest of six children, Ardell grew up in Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School. She attended college in Devils Lake and worked as a bookkeeper until her marriage on April 6, 1947 to Vernon Yri of Minnewaukan. They made their home on the Yri farmstead near Brinsmade. Vernon and Ardell raised her sister, Jean's, daughters, Valorie and April Skar and farmed until his death in 1966. Ardell married Albert Olson from Churchs Ferry on March 1, 1980. The couple spent fifteen years enjoying each other, traveling and visiting family. Ardell loved living on the farm and resided there for fifty years. After Albert’s death in 1995, she remained on the farm until moving to Cando in 1996.
She was a member of Trinity Free Lutheran Church of Minnewaukan and was active in Ladies Aids, Homemakers and Eastern Star. Ardell served as secretary for Zion Lutheran Church in Churchs Ferry and the Churchs Ferry Public School and was employed at the Crossroads Café in Churchs Ferry. She loved to entertain family and friends around her dining room table, hosting many family holidays, parties, and picnics. Everyone loved Ardell's cooking. She was known throughout the community for her ability to make the best lefse.
Ardell is survived by her daughters: Valorie (John) Myers of Manassas, VA and April (Jerry) Hoeppner of Wabasha, MN; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four brothers: Reg (Roselynn) Urness of Grand Forks, Dale (Marilyn) Urness of Leeds, Clair (Tiffany) Urness of Sacramento, CA, Bill Urness of Leeds; and a number nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and a sister, Jean Skar, in 1958.
Edward Michael Ripplinger-Nelson Funeral Home website
Edward M. Ripplinger, 69, of Harlow, ND, died Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Carrington Health Center in Carrington, ND. Public visitation will be Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 4 to 7pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds. A private funeral and with burial at Our Savior’s Cemetery in Harlow will take place at a later date.
Edward Michael Ripplinger was born April 4th, 1942, at Rugby, ND to John C. and Marie Eva (Gisi) Ripplinger. At five years of age the family moved to Butte Valley Township near Harlow, ND. Ed attended grade school in Harlow and graduated from the Leeds High School in 1960. He worked at West Go in Fargo for a time as a welder and trouble shooter. Ed then farmed in Butte Valley Township from 1962 until his retirement in 2002. He also trucked livestock for area farmers. Ed married Diane Lane Britsch on February 14, 1968 at Leeds.
Ed served as a Benson County Commissioner, Deputy Sheriff and was a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard for twelve years. He had been a member of the Masons and was a life member of the Elks. His hobbies included horses, Rendezvous and playing the accordion. He was an avid Trail Rider with his horses Henry, Tily, Sandy and Bertha.
Surviving are his wife: Diane of Harlow; four daughters: Robin (Lynn) Arnold of Esmond, Susan (Jeff) Hawn of Harlow, Faye (Ed) Nystrom of New Rockford and Amanda (Derek) Johnson of Minnewaukan; seven grandchildren: Zach & Jessica Johnson, Savana, Allysa & Justin Nystrom, Jacob & Andrea Arnold; his mother: Marie Ripplinger of Devils Lake and a brother: Donald (Connie) Ripplinger of Devils Lake. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
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