Bernice Houser

Bismarck

Bernice Houser, 92, died Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck surrounded by family. The family will receive visitors at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, on Wednesday, August 2, from 7-8:30 p.m. with a brief prayer service at 7:30. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 3, 11:30 a.m., at Bethel Lutheran Church in New Town. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service.

Bernice Carol Narum was born August 26, 1930, in Sanish, North Dakota to Henry and Hilda (Myren) Narum, the third of four children. Bernice attended school in Sanish, graduating from high school as class valedictorian in 1948. After graduation, she worked for Lockrem’s Grocery in Sanish and Hedderich’s department store in Williston. She married Alvin Houser in 1950 and they lived for a short time in Sanish, but a move was necessary due to the building of the Garrison Dam which would flood Sanish with the waters of Lake Sakakawea. They bought a small house from Alvin’s dad and moved it from Underwood to a location northwest of New Town. They lived there for over 60 years, farming in McKenzie and Mountrail counties, until their retirement.

Bernice was a bowler for many years and was an avid birdwatcher and a reporter for a publication of the Audubon Society. She enjoyed photography, fishing, collecting rocks, card parties, and visiting the nearest casino. She spent many years on the Board of Directors of the Mountrail County Historical Society, helping publish two volumes of the county history book. She was also a local Sanish historian and collected information on the town that no longer existed; she also helped organize several Sanish reunions. She donated her collection of Sanish history and memorabilia to the North Dakota Historical Society. She was a director of the Riverview Cemetery Association and a member of Lakeview Senior Citizens and Bethel Lutheran Church.

Alvin and Bernice spent several years in retirement traveling to national parks and wildlife refuges in the western United States, continuing their travels into their 80s. In 2012, Bernice and Alvin sold their home in New Town and moved to Bismarck.

Bernice is survived by her husband, Alvin of 72 years; children, Angela (Ken) Makedonski, Bismarck; Nancy (Dave) Burritt, Broomfield, CO; Scott Houser, Bismarck; grandchildren, Brett Makedonski, Lisa (Justin) Weisz, Jeremy (Samantha) Houser, and Kyle (Jenae Wieser) Houser; great-grandson, Wesley Weisz; several nieces and nephews; and many loving in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Bob Kottsick; sister Donna Appelt; brother and sister-in-law Warren and Belle Narum; daughter-in-law Carol Houser; several sisters and brothers-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the charity of your choice.

(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com)

Published by The Minot Daily News, Aug. 1, 2023.