Edna Belisle

Buckeye, Ariz.

Edna Belisle went Home with her Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, December 13, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Buckeye, AZ. She will be laid to rest in Lansford, ND, in the spring.

Edna Irene Johnson was born June 6, 1933, to Otto and Olga Johnson near Kloten, ND. Edna attended the township country school and graduated from McVille High School in 1950. She received her teacher’s certificate from Minot State Teachers College while waitressing at The Beaver Palace Cafe. Edna finished her elementary education degree at Minot State College in 1973.

Edna married family friend, James Milkey, on June 27, 1954, in Zion Lutheran Church in McVille, ND, and they moved to rural Lansford, ND, to farm the Milkey land. They became the proud parents of four children: Brenda, Colleen, Michael and Mark. James Milkey passed away unexpectedly in January, 1968.

In 1969, Edna met Robert Belisle of Lansford, ND. They were married July 15, 1970, at Zion Lutheran Church in Mohall, ND. In 1972, they moved to Underwood, ND, where they both taught school in their six years there. Edna and Bob grew the family by two children, Randal and Erin. In 1978, Edna and Bob returned to live and work the Lansford farm. While their kids were attending Mohall Public School, Edna was a substitute teacher and teacher’s aid. After 65 blessed years on the farm, Edna moved with Bob in 2019 to Buckeye, AZ, to be near three of their retired adult children.

Edna was an excellent role model who worked fields, tended gardens, butchered chickens and supported all her kids’ school events. She was a skilled seamstress, knitter, cook and baker (known for her donuts, bars, buns and Norwegian treats). Edna and Bob volunteered for years at the Norsk Hostfest in Minot. Norwegian heritage was important to her, as were her Stusrud cousins in Norway. Lasting bonds were made through letters and eventual visits on each side.

Mom/Grandma/Great-grandma cherished her babies and had a relationship with as many as she could. She loved to sing them lullabies and nursery rhymes. She grew up in a musical family, singing in church with her brother and sisters. She took piano lessons, but her talent laid in playing by ear. She loved to go dancing with Bob and they even performed with the Polkateers in North Dakota. Edna and Bob spent summers RV’ing at places like Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea.

Edna loved to entertain. Her house was alive with laughter, good food, family and friends – whether for holidays, Card Club, or a neighbor’s visit. She was always grateful for the neighbors and friends she was blessed to know and love in all her homes. She enjoyed being part of the Grano Happy Homemakers and Lansford Birthday Club. Mom’s fun sense of humor made her easy to like – her giggle and penchant for a witty quip will be missed.

Edna was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mohall and Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansford, where at each she taught Sunday School and participated in the ladies’ Circle groups and Church Council. In Underwood, she attended Augustana Lutheran, and, in Arizona, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Buckeye.

Edna’s family thanks the staff at Pebble Heights Assisted Living & Memory Care in Goodyear, AZ; RD Hospice of Peoria, AZ; and Living Gracefully PLLC of Phoenix, AZ, for their professional and tender care for Mom over the last six months.

Edna is survived by her husband of more than 55 years, Robert; her children, Brenda (Robert) Demke, Minot, ND, and Buckeye, AZ; Colleen (Rodney) Jacobson, Billings MT; Michael (Cynthia) Milkey, Minot, ND, and Buckeye, AZ; Mark (Sandra) Milkey, Buckeye, AZ; Randal (Katarzyna) Belisle, Garrison, ND; and Erin (Jeremy Smith) Belisle, Portland, OR; along with 8 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Milkey; sister, Orphie Knudson; sister, Pearl Vig; brother, Harold Johnson; sister, Linda DeGroot.

Donations in memory of Edna can be made to the Lansford Cemetery Association or Alzheimer’s Association.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot is entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 22, 2025.