Ella Nora Irene Schatz

Ella Nora Schatz, 89, Bismarck, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at Sanford Health in Bismarck, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Marv Mutzenberger officiating. Burial will be Monday at 3:00 PM at the ND Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service and will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Ella Nora Irene Schatz was born on March 7, 1926, in Wilton, ND, to Carl and Hazel (Bly) Gilbertson. She was raised and educated at Wilton and graduated from Wilton High School in 1944. Ella Nora married Ben Schatz on September 15, 1949, in Bismarck, ND. They farmed and raised their large family northwest of Regan, ND. Ella Nora was known for her good cooking and baking. She enjoyed yardwork and gardening, and looked forward to an invitation to go fishing. She also enjoyed visiting with her neighbor, Marv, and his dog, Betsy. She was a huge Minnesota Twins fan. Though she was never able to attend a game in person, she never missed a game on TV. She was especially fond and proud of her children and grandchildren. Ella Nora was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by her family and many good friends. She is survived by her four sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald (Betty) Schatz, Mercer, ND, Douglas (Donna) Schatz, Randy (Deanna) Schatz, and Jeffrey (Tamara) Schatz, Bismarck, ND; her two daughters, Marilyn Schon Rath (Curtis Hedstrom), Bismarck, ND, and Renae Dillon (Bill Sturkey), Huntington, WV; her grandchildren, Tina (Brian) Goven, Bobby (Kelli) Schatz, Caryn (Bernie) Hedstrom, Lori (Dennis) Krick, Christina (Jason) Zimmerman, Angela Schon, Eric (Sarah) Schon, Matthew (Kristi) Schatz, Bridgette (Randy) Readel, Nathan (Megan) Rath, Kary (Carl) Lindgren, and Tim (Ashley) Rath; her 20 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Alice Stoecker, Lansing, MI, Evelyn Hallquist, Othello, WA, Laverne Haring, San Diego, CA, and Mary (Norman) Fetch, Bismarck; and one sister-in-law, Pauline Gilbertson, Bismarck, ND. Ella Nora was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; her parents, Carl and Hazel Gilbertson; her brother, Lloyd Gilbertson; her sisters, Adeline Kurle and Marjorie Tilden; her sons-in-law, Lyle Schon and Kim Rath; and her great-granddaughter, Layla Schatz.