Edna Mae Narum

Edna Mae (Bitner) Narum, 82, passed away August 9, 2019 with her family by her side at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, ND.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, August 14, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave., Bismarck, with Pastor Julie Anderson officiating.

Burial will be at 3:00 pm Wednesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 13, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm.

Edna was born on October 1, 1936. She was raised and attended school in Wilton, ND. As a young child she was very shy and stayed very close to her mother’s side most of the time. She attended high school in Riverdale, ND where she was the Homecoming Queen and graduated in 1954. After graduation she became employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Edna met Gailen Narum in the summer of 1956, her husband of 61 years, while working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Edna was in the purchasing department and Gailen was an Engineering student working three summers on the Garrison Dam Project. They married June 15, 1958 and had four children, Sherrie Gail, Scott William, Richard Dean and Julie Ann.

Edna was a military wife, she and Gailen lived in Anchorage, AK; Laramie, WY; Plattsburg, NY. They also lived in many other places during their marriage. Edna enjoyed playing bridge and working with Ladies Aid groups. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, baking and canning. While living in Anchorage, AK, she experienced, “The Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964.”

Edna is survived by her husband, Gailen; son, Richard (Annie); daughter, Julie Narum; daughter-in-law, Kathy Narum; sister, Janice (Richard) Berger; and sister-in-law, Irma Bitner. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nicole (Tom) Helfrich, Breanna and Tela Narum, Bryton and Brock Harman; her great-granddaughter, Lily Helfrich; and many nieces and nephews.

Edna was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Sherrie Gail and her son Scott William; her parents, William and Hildur (Stenquist) Bitner; and her brother Bob Bitner.

The family would like to thank everyone for all the love and support they’ve received during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the ND Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46^th St., Mandan, ND, 58554.