Anna S. Gjovik

Anna S. Gjovik, age 93, resident of McVille, ND, formerly of Pekin, ND, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the Nelson County Health System Care Center in McVille.

Anna Serena Knaben was born February 16, 1916 in Knaben, Norway, the daughter of Aanen and Dorothy Knaben. She attended school there and was hired as a bonded servant at the age of 8. She worked as a cook at a mine where she met Leiv Gjovik. They fell in love and were married June 17, 1937 in Fjotland, Norway. They lived in Norway through the German occupation, 1940 - 1945. In July of 1947 they moved to the P.K. Holm farm near Pekin, where they helped with the farming operation until eventually taking over the farm. Anna became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1960. In 1967 Anna & Leiv were able to take a trip back home to visit family. They farmed together near Pekin until retiring. They then lived for brief periods of time in Dickinson, Finley, Rugby, and McVille, before moving to the Nelson County Health System Care Center in 1997. Anna was an active member of Sheyenne Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. She was proud of her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Leiv died March 27, 2001. Anna liked to crochet, knit, and sew. She learned to play the piano and violin by ear, and was known for her wonderful flower gardens.

Anna will be greatly missed by her 4 children, Lloyd (Nancy) Gjovik of Pekin, ND, Aanen (Carroll) Gjovik of Fargo, ND, Kjellaug (Kenneth) Reyerson of Sharon, ND, and K. Peder (Gail) Gjovik of Powell, WY; 6 grandsons, David (Stacey) Gjovik of Meadville, PA, Craig (Jenn) Gjovik of Devils Lake, ND, Kaare (Rebeca) Gjovik of Pekin, ND, Evan Gjovik of Powell, WY, Erik Gjovik of Cathay, ND, and Jeremy (Mary) Reyerson of Larimore, ND; 6 granddaughters, Anne (Peter) Swant of Walla Walla, WA, Christine (Scott) Gorder of Fargo, ND, Kari (Kevin) Kovar of Cedar Rapids, IA, Laura (Mike) Thiel of Powell, WY, Anna Lisa Gjovik of Bismarck, ND, and Tessa (Mike) McConnaughey of Powell, WY; 27 great grandchildren; and 1 sister, Solveig in Norway.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 3 sisters, Maria, Anna, and Olga; and a brother, Lars.

Anna's Funeral Service will be held at the Sheyenne Lutheran Church, rural Pekin, ND, on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Sheyenne Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, June 26, 2009 beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.