Bismarck Funeral Home & Crematory

04/06/2026

Theodore "Ted" Blotsky

Theodore “Ted” Joseph Blotsky, 91, died Friday, April 3, 2026 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital. He had been a resident at Edgewood Mandan at the time of his death. A commital service will be conducted at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, April 9 at 1:00 PM.

Ted was born February 17, 1935, was raised, and received his early education in Grant County. He graduated from Flasher High School.

To follow on of his dreams, Ted joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955. After a four-year stint, he returned to civilian life and worked at St. Alexius Medical Center.

A recruiter convinced Ted to re-enlist in the U.S. Air Force with a promise that his duties would include assignments in foreign countries. He re-joined the Air Force and then for the next 17 years he was stationed at Air Force Bases in country and abroad.

In country, he was stationed at Tavis AFB, Calif., March ARB, Calif., Malstrom AFB, Mont., Dover AFB, Delaware and McChord AFB, Washington State.

His assignments to Air Force Bases in foreign countries were at Tuli, Greenland for one year, Paris, France for four years, Vietnam for 18 months, Athen, Greece for three years, Thailand for two years, and then Clark AFB, The Philippines.

Ted received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1980 with a rank of Master Sergeant after having served his country for 22 years. His experience with the Air Force inspired him to continue his education after his return to civilian life.

During the next 20 years, Ted earned an associate degree in Humanities at Bismarck State College, a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Moorehead State University, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the North Dakota State University. While working towards these degrees, he also studied German, French, Latin and Greek.

Ted is survived by sister, Katherine Hoff, Phyllis Lentz, Eva Giese and LaVerne Emineth; brothers, Rev. Hugo and Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Salamea (Volk) Blotsky, Bernice Rafferty, Bill, Pauline, Ray and Bernadette.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in memory of Ted be made to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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04/06/2026

Paula Veit

Paula Veit, 78, of Bismarck, ND, passed away April 4, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family and Sanford Hospice care.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Inspire Family Fellowship, Bismarck, ND. Burial will be at 12:00 PM MDT, on Thursday, April 9, at the Isabel Cemetery, Isabel, SD.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM CDT at Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Paula Miechelle Veit was born on December 16, 1947, to Paul “Jack” and Alberta (Hayes) Strong at the hospital in Dupree, South Dakota. Her parents came to South Dakota sheep herding in a wagon with her two older sisters, who were 14 and 11 years her senior. When Paula was born, the plan had been for a son named Paul—thus the name Paula—but her sisters fondly recall that Jack carried her on his hip, calling her the best Christmas present he had ever received.

Paula grew up as her dad’s sidekick, a true horsewoman who rode alongside him and learned the finer things of life from her mother to include her beautiful singing voice. She rodeoed, was crowned Miss Faith Stock Show, and often spoke of her favorite buckles, including her 1965 All-Around buckle and a cherished barrel racing buckle she once gave away to encourage a young girl who was struggling.

She attended grade school and high school in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, where she met Dan. Through his persistent “pestering” in study hall, the two became a couple. Paula graduated from Cheyenne River High School in Eagle Butte.

Paula and Dan Veit were united in marriage on August 27, 1966, and attended Black Hills State College of Business. They welcomed their son, Matt Justin, on May 22, 1967. The couple spent the early years of their marriage ranching in various locations before purchasing their place east of Faith, where they established their horse training barn and raised cattle and pigs from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s.

During that time, they welcomed their daughter, Penny Lee, on January 8, 1973—the first baby born in Ziebach County that year, a distinction Paula fondly remembered along with the blessing of extra supplies that came with it. Those years were filled with countless miles on the road attending SDRA, NRCA, 4-H, and SDHS rodeos. Paula served as a timer alongside Pauline Davis and was an active member of the Faith Stock Show Committee.

In 1984, the family moved to Williston, North Dakota, where their children continued rodeoing through the NDRA, RRA, and ND High School Rodeo associations. Paula’s greatest joy was being a rodeo mom—supporting her children, celebrating their accomplishments, and valuing both who they were becoming and the importance of their education. Matt went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University, and Penny earned her bachelor’s from North Dakota State University, her master’s from the University of North Dakota, and her doctorate from the University of South Dakota.

Paula often reflected that her life had three distinct seasons, guided by one of her favorite scriptures, Ecclesiastes 3:1–8: “For everything there is a season.” Her first season was ranching, which defined much of her childhood and early married life. Her second season was in banking, where after moving to North Dakota, she began working at American State Bank in the bookkeeping department and eventually advanced to manager of operations. Her final season spanned the past twenty years at HIT, Inc., where she worked at Dakota Pointe, Mandan, ND, as a restorative therapist serving individuals with traumatic brain injuries. She also periodically led Bible studies—work that truly filled her cup. In her final days, she reminded those around her to continue to “Walk on Sunshine.”

Paula’s greatest joy was her family. She treasured time spent supporting her children and grandchildren in their many activities and never missed an opportunity to cheer them on. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, listening heart, and unwavering faith. Through every season stood her steadfast partner of nearly sixty years, Dan. Together, they found no greater joy than in their grandchildren. They treasured every opportunity to travel to Montana to fish, hunt, attend football games, and share in life’s special moments with their grandsons. Closer to home, Paula cherished “Grandma days” with her granddaughters, making each one feel deeply loved and special. She rarely missed an event—whether a concert, basketball game, orchestra performance, youth rodeo, or local archery competition. They even attended national tournaments, and one of her favorite memories was traveling to an international tournament in Calgary, followed by a trip through Glacier National Park.

She loved to tell the story of being the overzealous grandma at a national archery tournament, binoculars in hand, stepping out onto the FITA field to get a closer look—prompting the director of shooting to come over the loudspeaker reminding spectators to stay off the field.

Above all, Paula was a woman of faith. A prayer warrior. When she learned of her illness, she didn’t respond with fear, but with peace—saying that Jesus was her friend and would hold her hand. And He did. If Paula left us with anything, it’s this: Be kind. Be present. Be a believer.

She will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she loved, and the faith she carried so beautifully. She left handwritten messages for all of us and the biggest take away was to keep believing to be able to meet up again in the promise land as well as enjoy the smaller moments as they often turn into some of the best times. This is truly the day the Lord has made.

Paula is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Daniel Veit; her son Matt (Kendra) Veit of Malta, Montana; her daughter Penny (Lee) Hetletved of Bismarck, North Dakota; her grandchildren Nathan (Mariah) Veit of Malta, Montana; Reed (Hannah) Veit of Roundup, Montana; Kinley Hetletved and Hatley Hetletved of Bismarck, North Dakota; her sister Lois Bennett of Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul “Jack” and Alberta Strong; her in-laws, Roy and Irene Veit, Dupree, SD; her sister and brother-in-law Betty Lou and Anton Kost; her brother-in-law Jim Bennett; sister-in-law Linda Veit; brother-in-law Jerry Veit; brother and sister-in-law Frank and Brenda Veit; brother-in-law George Lafferty; her niece and dear friend Cheryl Hamilton; and her special cousins Ralph and Buck Scheele.

In lieu of flowers, Paula has asked that any memorials be given to the youth ministry of Inspire Family Fellowship Church of Bismarck, ND. She admired their dedication to youth and believed that the seed of faith has to be planted in young people.

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04/01/2026

Cheryl Loerch

Cheryl Maureen Loerch, 80, of Mandan, passed away on March 28th, 2026.

Cheryl Maureen Loerch was born on March 26, 1946, to Del and MaryEllen Hildebrand.

She married the love of her life, Henry John Loerch on August 12th, 1967.

Cheryl was a selfless, caring, loving and family-oriented person. She would light up any room she would enter. If anyone would know her, would know she would do anything for anyone. In her spare time, you could have found her on a tennis court, enjoying a cold one, spending time outside, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family, and dogs. Her family meant everything to her. She enjoyed any chance she had to spend time with them, especially with her grandchildren. Those times could include game nights, staying up talking about anything, and baking on the holidays.

Cheryl (Sugie) Loerch will be deeply missed by her daughter, Codi; son, Michael Loerch; grandchildren, Taylor, Payton, Alex; siblings, Del (Lucy) Hildebrand, Denny (Jan) Hildebrand, as well as many close family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Loerch; parents, Del and MaryEllen Hildebrand; brothers, Jim and Michael Hildebrand, and her nephew, Cam Hildebrand.

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03/31/2026

Alicia Y. Demaray

Alicia Yvonne Merkle Demaray, or as some lovingly knew her as, Bug & Freckles, a vibrant soul known for her boundless kindness and unwavering strength, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends. Alicia faced a courageous battle with cancer, demonstrating resilience and determination until her final moments.

Alicia was born on October 3, 1988, to Tami and David Merkle and grew up in Ypsilanti, North Dakota. Her childhood was marked by memories of riding three-wheelers, dirt bikes, horses, and playing hockey—a true country girl at heart. She attended school in Montpelier, North Dakota, where she was an active member of the 4-H Club, the Montpelier Pioneers, and the Woodworth Golden Eagles. She enjoyed school life, participating in basketball, volleyball, and the speech club, graduating from high school in 2007.

Furthering her education, Alicia attended the University of Mary before moving to Washington. There, she completed her college education at Charter College, earning a certificate as a medical assistant. Her career at Sanford Health as a Medical Assistant was marked by compassion and dedication. Later, she served as a Paraprofessional for Bismarck Public Schools at Horizon Middle School, making a profound difference in the lives of many children.

Alicia loved the outdoors, especially the mountainous landscapes of Washington, where she enjoyed hiking, fishing, and hunting. She treasured time with friends and family, often singing karaoke at ‘Time Out’ and sharing joyful moments with those she loved.

Her enduring relationship with her husband, Jared Demaray of Bismarck, began in their high school days in Montpelier. Though time and distance separated them for a while, they reconnected in 2017 when she returned to Bismarck. Their shared passions included attending concerts—often a special joy when Alicia won tickets through radio contests—and crafting, which Alicia warmly introduced to Jared. She was also his steadfast companion, providing support as he worked on his cars and ensuring their home was always filled with warmth and good food.

In 2021, Alicia embraced the role of a mother when Jared’s daughter, Nikki Martin, came to live with them in Bismarck. Alicia welcomed Nikki as her own, forging a deep and loving bond that blossomed into a cherished friendship. Together, they created treasured memories enjoying rodeos, movies, shopping, and seeing Nikki’s first concert featuring Kane Brown. Summer visits to Washington allowed Nikki to experience the ocean, fishing, and quality time with her grandparents, affectionately known as Nama and Pop Pop. Their adventures also included joyful days at Silverwood Amusement Park. Nikki always regarded Alicia as “mom” and deeply appreciated all the love and guidance Alicia provided, recognizing her as a monumental influence in her life.

Alicia’s generosity and spirit extended far beyond her immediate family. She was known for her selflessness, never allowing her own struggles to overshadow her care for others. She was witty, candid, caring, giving, and loved profoundly by all who knew her. Family held a special place in her heart, and she continually sought to bring loved ones closer together. Special gratitude is extended to Sanford Health and the devoted nurses of the 7th floor for their compassionate and outstanding care throughout Alicia’s illness.

A benefit to honor Alicia’s memory and support causes close to her heart is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Club 1883 in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Alicia is survived by her beloved husband, Jared Demaray of Bismarck, and daughter, Nikki Martin of Bismarck. She is also survived by her mother, Tami and stepfather, Calvin Stewart of Kittitas, Washington; brother, Travis Merkle of Ellensburg, Washington; niece, Lilah Merkle of Ellensburg, Washington; stepbrother, Randell and sister-in-law, Kyla Stewart of Olympia, Washington, along with niece, Merrigan, nephew, Kinrick, and nieces, Paytin and Indi. Her extended family are in-laws, Darwin and Carmel Demaray of Tappen, North Dakota; sister-in-law, Alicia and Sheldon Goff of Williston, North Dakota, with children, Kavyn and Brier Goff; brother-in-law, Jordan Demaray and sister-in-law, Aubrie Demaray (Shelbie). She is also survived by cousin, Nicole and Randy Meyer and family of Bonney Lake, Washington; grandparents, Kenny and Vicki Bennett of North Dakota and Willie Harding of Washington; Jared’s grandparents, Jack and Shirley Demaray of Tappen, North Dakota; Ruby Wall of Bismarck, North Dakota; and Delvin Wall of Tappen, North Dakota. Alicia’s aunts and uncles—Helen Merkle, Rick Harding, Melissa and Theo Denner, Willie and Patricia Fontaine, Butch Fontaine, and Sheri Hyde, as well as Jared’s extended family—Len & Brenda Wall, Tim and Amber Wetzel, Dexter and Brenda Demaray, Dale and Lynette Demaray, Douglas and Michelle Demary, Darnell and Becky Demaray, and families —also mourn her passing. A special friend, Lynda Stewart, remains deeply connected to Alicia’s memory.

Alicia was preceded in death by her father, David Merkle; grandparents, O.F. and Lillian Merkle, Great-Grand Parents William and Evelyn Circle; uncle, Roger Harding; cousin, Tyler Fontaine; Jared’s sister, Christine Demaray; and great-grandparents, Lenhart and Eva Wall.

Alicia Y. Demaray’s life was one of love, courage, and grace. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, joy, and strength that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know her. She will be profoundly missed and always remembered with the utmost respect and affection.

There will be a celebration of life in North Dakota and Washington State, details pending.

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03/31/2026

Celia Schuette

Celia June Schuette, age 96, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026, at the Mandan Care Center.

A memorial service will be held at Bismarck Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place, and no visitation will be held.

Celia was born on June 22, 1929, in Linton, North Dakota. She was one of seven children and, at the age of seven, was orphaned. She spent her childhood in several foster homes until reaching adulthood at age eighteen. Despite these early hardships, Celia built a life defined by resilience, love, and strong family ties.

On October 17, 1947, Celia married Alton Schuette, and together they made their home in Bismarck. They were blessed with two sons, Alton Robert and Donald Ray.

Celia and Alton spent several happy years living at Ponderosa Riverside Village, where they formed lasting friendships with their neighbors. Later, Celia moved into a condominium, where caring friends continued to watch over her. She eventually moved to Edgewood in Mandan, where she received excellent care and kindness from the staff.

Celia is survived by her son, Robert (Rosanna); daughter-in-law, Linda; grandson, Jesse (Terri), great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Noah, Emily, and Chloe, great-great-grandchild, Bennet; granddaughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Andy), great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Aubrey. She is also survived by her brother, Jim (Edith); sister, Thelma, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton; son, Donald; grandson, Justin; her parents; brothers, Robert and Oscar; and sisters Elva and Tini.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the CaringEdge Hospice and Edgewood staff for the compassionate care they provided to our Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Great-Great-Grandma.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials go to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery or a veteran’s organization of your choice.

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03/31/2026

Sandra "Sandy" Dahl

On Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, Sandra “Sandy” Dahl, 79, of Bismarck, ND, went home to be with the Lord. A memorial service will be at 11 am, Friday, April 10, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1615 N 18th St, Bismarck, ND. A reception will follow the service, with burial afterward at the Hazelton Cemetery, Hazelton, ND.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 9, from 5 pm to 7 pm, at Bismarck Funeral Home, 3723 Lockport St, Bismarck, ND.

Sandy was born on September 17, 1946, in Bismarck, ND to Philip and Ruth (Kist) Pfeifer. She grew up on the family farm in Temvik, ND, and graduated from Linton High School in 1964. After high school Sandy attended Bismarck Junior College and Northen State University in Aberdeen, SD, where she graduated with degrees in Marketing and Business Administration.

On June 7, 1965, Sandy married Mathias “Matt” Dahl of Hazelton, ND, in Bismarck. Together, they raised two daughters, Tanya and Tracy. During their 60 years of marriage, Sandy and Matt shared a life rich with memories in Aberdeen and Spearfish, SD; and in Plymouth and Hutchinson, MN; and most recently Bismarck.

Sandy built a meaningful career in the finance and insurance industries while remaining deeply devoted to her family. She also enjoyed cooking and travelling. Her greatest joy, however, was her role as grandma to grandsons--Hunter, Sawyer, and Eli Andersen. A devoted grandma, Sandy delighted in taking the boys hiking, fishing, camping, and rock hunting, sharing her love of nature with them. She was well known for spoiling them with homemade desserts and her famous mac and cheese. She was also their biggest fan, watching their hockey, baseball, and lacrosse games.

A faithful follower of Christ, Sandy was actively involved with her church communities. She served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, participated in the altar guild, and contributed her time and talents as treasurer of Ladies of Hope, as well as in outreach and fellowship efforts.

Sandy had a deep passion for her heritage and genealogy and was a proud member of the Germans from Russia organization.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Ruth Pfeifer; sister, Karen Matthews; father and mother-in-law, Arne and Anita Dahl; brothers-in-law, Roger and Robert Dahl; and nephew, Kelly Dahl.

Grateful to have shared Sandy’s life are her husband, Matt; her daughters, Tanya (Ted) of Phoenix, AZ, and Tracy (Stephen) of Tampa, FL; and her beloved grandsons. She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings, Phil (Joan) Pfeifer, Karla (Steve) Kasarda, and Bob (Pat) Pfeifer; her sisters-in-law, Laurel Dahl and Kay Dahl; and special family friends Trish, Lynn, Riley, and Patrick Boadwine of Baltic, South Dakota

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Sandy’s memory by donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

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03/31/2026

Marion Kiefer

Marion Kiefer, age 75, of Mandan passed away surrounded by her family on March 27, 2026 after a short known battle with ovarian cancer. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Martha HarriSon officiating. The burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery following the lunch. Please wear blue in honor of Marion’s favorite color. A livestream will be available on the Trinity Lutheran Church page.

Family will be receiving friends on Monday, April 6 from 5:30-8pm at the Bismarck Funeral Home with a prayer service beginning at 7pm.

Marion was born in Wishek and was the daughter of Jake and Pauline Thurn. She attended Wishek High School and spent the majority of her working career in the Child Support Department for the State of North Dakota until she retired in 2014.

She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was passionate about and spent many years volunteering at the Dream Center Bismarck (formerly The Banquet) and always spoke highly of her time there. She loved to travel and see the world and was always up for a lunch date or social outing. But of all the things she loved, she loved spending time with her family the most, especially her grandsons and granddaughter.

She is survived by her son, Josh and grandson Jamie; daughter, Jenn (Eric Andrews) grandson Rowan and granddaughter Blair; brothers, Gerold (Marlene) Thurn, Harvey Thurn, Steve (Paula Ellis) Thurn, Darvin Thurn; sister, Lorraine (Jim) Rohrich; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Florian; her parents; mother and father-in-law, Anton and Magdalena Kiefer; brother, John Thurn.

In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to Dream Center Bismarck either online at dreamcenterbismarck.org or by check to 1805 Park Ave, Bismarck, ND 58504

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03/30/2026

Lester Charles Brady

Lester Charles Brady, age 93, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, quiet strength, and resilience.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 6 at 11:00 AM at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery.

Lester was born on November 28, 1932, on the family farm west of Jud, North Dakota, to Veronica and George Brady. He was the middle of 3 children and grew up in Jud, where he graduated high school in 1949.

On May 29, 1960, Lester married Deloris Fischer in Edgeley, ND. Together they built a life in Edgeley, Streeter, Enderlin and finally Bismarck, North Dakota, where they cared for and raised 3 children. Lester was a devoted husband, dad, and friend. Aside from gardening, fishing and hunting he was an avid woodworker. Lester loved to dance with Deloris and always had a tune to whistle while he was working or fishing.

Lester’s last job was working at Family Fare where he loved making new friends with shoppers and fellow associates.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris; parents, Veronica and George; brother, Willis Brady and numerous aunts and uncles.

Lester is survived by his children, Brian (Renee) Brady, Bismarck, ND, Brenda (Bernie) Jassmann, Bottineau, Bruce (Julie) Brady, Bismarck. He was also blessed with four grandchildren: Rebecka (Steven) Neibauer Center, ND, Samantha (Rylan) Hop, Merritt British Columbia, Alexander Brady Grand Forks, ND, Nathan Brady, Dilworth,MN; his sister Janell (Clyde) Houge, Minot, ND, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins and their growing families.

Lester will be remembered for his love of animals, dedication to his family, his strength in adversity, and his strong and enduring devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him and to whom his smile and demeanor touched.

For those who wish to honor Lester in a special way, please consider making a donation to Furry Friends Rockin' Rescue located at 2500 14th Ave SE, Mandan, ND 58554 in his name.

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03/28/2026

Honoring and Remembering the Life of Ottilia “Paula” Schmidt

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03/27/2026

From Our Family to Yours 🤍

As the only locally owned funeral home in Bismarck, the ownership of Bismarck Funeral Home & Crematory is held by local families—including the Harrington and Rode families. We understand the importance of tradition and we’re proud to keep our legacy local to serve our community with the personalized care you deserve.

When you’re going through life’s most difficult moments, it helps to know you’re being cared for by a family that lives and works right alongside you. Thank you for trusting us to care for your loved ones for nearly 30 years.

📍 3723 Lockport St, Bismarck, ND
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03/27/2026

Joan Johnson

In the early morning of March 25th, 2026, Joan Johnson was called home to serve the Lord in Heaven, surrounded by her friends and family. Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we understand that she could not endure the pain any longer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Ascension Catholic Church, Bismarck, ND.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM.

Joan (Tremblay) Johnson was born in Tisdale, SK, Canada on December 8th, 1961; on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was born to Lawrence & Nora Marie (Casavant) Tremblay. She was raised as the youngest of 8 siblings. Joan told stories of living in rural Canada and picking wild berries and apples to bring home for her mother to make jelly and pies. She said she often ate as many berries as she brought home.

In 1969 Joan’s father, Lawrence, passed away. In 1970, her mom, Nora, married Roland Mongeon from Rolette, ND. Joan and her mother then migrated to the United States and moved onto the family farm just south of Dunseith, ND. She graduated from Dunseith High School in 1979.

After graduation Joan moved to Grand Forks where she met Steve Johnson. They were married on May 17th, 1980. In September of that year, they welcomed their son into the world. They moved to Dickinson, ND in early 1981. When the oil boom subsided they moved to Huntington Beach, California.

In 1987 Joan and her son moved back to Dickinson, ND. In 1993, Joan graduated Summa Cumme Laude from DSU with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Kindergarten teaching certificate.

After Joan’s son graduated high school, she was given an opportunity to help take care of her aging parents in her hometown of Dunseith. Being a natural caregiver and amazing provider she jumped at the chance to allow for her parents to stay in their home until their passing. After being a caregiver to them for 10+ years, she retired with their passing in 2013.

Joan became a grandmother in 2012 and after her retirement, she chose to settle down in Bismarck, ND to be close to her son and his family. She never missed a game or event for her grandchildren and showed up to cheer loudly, often with plastic hand clappers in tow.

She loved her family, friends, and traveling; and focused on enjoying them in her retirement. She fought two bouts with cancer and won! She was very tenacious and a great role model of strength. She will be immensely missed.

She will be forever remembered by her son, Joshua Steven Johnson, his wife, Melissa, and their children, Nora and Owen. Also many close friends as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; Roland; her sister Jeanne; and her brothers, Marcel, Edgar, Victor, George, Joseph, and Maurice.

Sympathy cards can be sent to 306 Brandenburg Loop Bismarck, ND 58504.

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