Marlys G. Hjelseth

Marlys Gwendolyn Hjelseth left this earth and entered the gates of heaven on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Marlys was born in McVille, ND on July 28, 1922 to James and Jennie (Beringer) McDougall, and was the oldest of seven children. She graduated from McVille High School in 1940. On January 22, 1944 she married Arnold Hjelseth in Gainesville, TX where he was stationed during World War II prior to being shipped overseas.

As a young woman Marlys worked at Earl's Market of McVille and the McVille Community Hospital. During World War II she spent time in Tacoma, WA with family and worked at the Tacoma shipyards. In 1945 Arnold and Marlys returned to McVille and soon purchased the farm where they both diligently worked to develop a successful farming operation. Together they had two children, Ross and Janna. They were married forty-seven years until Arnold passed away in 1991.

Along with being a farmwife and a homemaker Marlys also worked at the McVille Bowling Alley CafAC., then at the McVille Journal newspaper as manager for thirty-one years. She was a member of the McVille Lutheran Church her entire adult life and served her church in many ways, including as a church officer, Sunday school teacher, and many years of helping the women with "quilting". She was an active life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and spent fifteen years as a Nelson County Hospice Care volunteer.

Marlys enjoyed gardening, yardwork, sewing and cooking. She took great pride in the appearance of her home and yard, both at the farm and at her home in McVille. Watching and following athletics was a big part of her life. She logged many miles traveling to watch both Ross and Janna participate, or support teams that they coached.

She was preceded in death by her husband, brothers Dick, Jay, John (Barrie) of Tacoma, WA, Harry of Olympia, WA, and her parents. Surviving members include her children Ross of Tacoma, WA and Janna of Karlstad, MN; daughter-in-law Ronni, two grandsons Brandon (Brittany) and Tyler (Angela), and a great-granddaughter Harper Hjelseth, all of Tacoma, WA. Other survivors include a brother Pat of Tacoma, WA, and a sister Ann Blish of Fleischmanns, NY.

Marlys served others to the best of her ability throughout her lifetime. Her humble but strong leadership of her family and in her community was a blessing to many. We will miss her presence, we will always feel her love and commitment to those she knew and cared for...which was anyone she ever met. Heaven is richer!

Visitation will be Thursday, May 21 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. with prayer service to follow at Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home, McVille, ND. The funeral service will be held at McVille Lutheran Church on Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch. Interment will be in McVille Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Nelson County Health System Hospital or American Cancer Society.