Ruth Schindele Bechard

Ruth Schindele Bechard, age 86, of Devils Lake, ND, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at her home in Devils Lake under the care of hospice surrounded by family. Ruth was born to William and Julia (Mager) Eisner on July 21, 1930 in Benton Harbor, MI. Her parents moved the family from Benton Harbor to Inkster, ND, where she graduated from Inkster High School.

She entered into marriage with Duane Schindele. They lived on the family farm north of Tolna raising their 6 children. She was an active member of the altar Society in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tolna, ND. She also taught CCD classes there. She served as 4-H leader for many years.

In 1994, she married Phillip Bechard and they lived in Dauphin, Manitoba until his death in 2006.

She returned to North Dakota in 2008 for her remaining years, where she was an active member in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND.

She devoted her spare time to bible studies, prayer meetings and Life in the Spirit seminars. She was a Eucharistic minister for many years and she made a pilgrimage in 1988 to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia with several church members.

She liked playing cards, bingo, bowling, canning, pickling and visiting with friends and family. She was an avid fisher “woman”. Her last fishing trip was in the winter of 2016 in a Snobear ice fishing machine.

She had a very deep faith that led many others, including her children, to that same relationship with God.

Ruth is survived by her children, Maureen (C. Gary) Kopp of Turtle Lake, ND, Angela (Stacy) Twete of Tolna, ND, Michael Schindele of Tolna, ND, Brian (Jodie) Schindele of Palmer, AK, and Janelle Schindele of Devils Lake, ND; 3 grandchildren, Dylan Schindele, Rachel Schindele and Darcie Rose; 2 great grandchildren, Tegan and Jackson; and nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Schindele; 2 brothers, Alfred and Paul Eisner.

In closing: One of Mom’s favorite sayings was this: Even before we are created we are born to know God.

The Funeral Mass for Ruth will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Devils Lake on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. The Celebrant will be Very Rev. Fr. C. F. Wilhelm. The Committal Service will be at the Tolna Cemetery on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Friday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the Rosary offered at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of Mass.