Nancy G. Bjella

Nancy Gay Bjella, 86, Bismarck, passed away on December 23, 2012, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday December 28, 2012, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Thursday, December 27, 2012, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan with an Order of Eastern Star Service at 7 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Nancy was born on April 4, 1926, in Mobridge, South Dakota, the daughter of Leonard and Lucy (Kingsbury) Clark. She was raised and educated in Mobridge, South Dakota, graduating from Mobridge High School in 1944 after being very active in Choral, Vocal and Ensemble Music. Her love of music led her to attend Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota where she attained a BA in music, majoring in vocal plus graduate work at Northern State University in Aberdeen and summer observation work at UCLA. Nancy married Herbert Bjella on June 10, 1950. They were married for 32 years until Herb's death on February 19, 1983. After college Nancy and Herb taught for many years. She taught choral music in Selby, Eureka, and became choral director in Mobridge, South Dakota. Upon retiring, she and her husband, Herb, moved to Bismarck where for a short time she worked as Teacher's Assistant at Roosevelt School. Later she accepted a position with North Dakota Department of Human Services from 1978-1991. Nancy enjoyed her work immensely and her co-workers became very meaningful friends. During this time she became a member of the McCabe Chancel Choir and later became the Choir's Director. In 1988, she began organizing the McCabe Centennial Choir and in 1989 the group attired in 1880's dress traveled around the State representing the history of Methodist hymn-singing in North Dakota. The Centennial Commission recognized the group as an official representative. Later, the group continued singing under the name, "Sounds of The Gospel". She was a very active person and loved the western atmosphere until the day she died. Nancy was also interested in training and showing German shepherd dogs, having begun this activity in California in 1950. Nancy was past president of Bismarck Kennel Club. Also she was active in Order of the Eastern Star, a 66 year member, OES Past Matron Club, Shrine Hospital Auxiliary. She is survived by nieces, Suzanne (Roger) Haug, Mandan, Libby (Frank) Kilzer, Bismarck, Diana Clark, Linda Clark, both of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; nephews, Chris Clark, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Dave (Sue) Clark, Bismarck, and Tracy Clark, Missoula, Montana. Nancy is preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Robert, Leonard, Kenneth, and Gordon. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to McCabe United Methodist Church.