Sheila Wald

Sheila Wald, 76, passed away suddenly on July 12, 2016, at Honor Health Scottsdale, Arizona. Sheila’s memorial mass in Bismarck will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, August 2, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond St., Bismarck, ND. Her final resting place will be in Hannah, ND. Sheila was born in Mandan, ND on Dec. 14, 1939, to Vivian Law and Austin R Smith. She grew up in Halliday, ND, and was the youngest of two children. Her older brother, Austin R. Smith II, otherwise known as Rob, adored his little sister. Their folks owned the drugstore in Halliday where many friendships were forged. She graduated from Halliday High School and then went on to the University of North Dakota where she was a member of the sorority Gamma Phi Beta. Sheila did a tour of Europe her freshman year where she travelled by boat over and visited many different countries. She met her husband the late Milbert (Milt) on a blind date and they were married on Aug. 11, 1962. They had three children; Rachelle (Shelley) Tara, Jewel Christie and Russell Blaine. Sheila worked for Salon Consultants, Kirkwood Mall, State Board of Cosmetology, ND State Legislature (Senate Committee) and finally F.E.M.A., where she worked until the age of 74 as comptroller/logistics. She was a proud member for most of her life of the ACBL, (American Contract Bridge League). As she was a bridge fanatic in Bismarck and Arizona. She was an avid sports fan also. Sheila is survived by her children, Rachelle “Shelley” (Leigh) Backhaus of New Salem, ND, Jewel Wald of Mesa, AZ, and Russell (Karla) Wald of San Tan, AZ; her grandchildren, Larin (Laura) Backhaus, Levi (Molly) Backhaus, Lawton (Kelsey) Backhaus, Lexon Backhaus and Maddison Bateman; her great-grandchildren, Leighton, Liam, Rachel, Roman, Moriah, Eli and Emmit Backhaus; her sisters-in-law, Amanda (Rob) Smith, and Marcella (Francis) Streifel; and her brothers-in-law, Stanley Wald and Wolfram “Wally” (Betty) Wald. Sheila will be greatly missed by her friends many of whom she counted as family. Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, husband; and brother.