Evelyn Shipley

Evelyn Viola Shipley of Bismarck, ND, passed away on March 31, 2019 on the 100th anniversary of her birth. She passed in the care of Sanford Health Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND.

She was born in Ryder, ND, on March 31, 1919 to parents Thomas Lars Enok Bergh and Torbjorg Hovde. After her mother died, she and her siblings were spread out to extended family and neighbors. She grew up with her grandparents on their farmstead in rural ND with her 13 aunts and uncles where she lived through the depression. She said they were happy even though they had very little. She was the widow of Wilbur (Bill) Stokes Shipley and together they had children, Zona Gail Shipley Robb and Charles Thomas Shipley.

She graduated from Peever High School in South Dakota and received a teaching degree from Aberdeen State Teachers College. Evelyn taught elementary school for many years in venues ranging from one-room country schools in northeastern South Dakota to urban schools in Romulus, Michigan and in and around Jamestown, North Dakota. She resided in Jamestown, ND for many years before joining her daughter Zona in Bismarck. She and Bill were enthusiastic square dancers and avid campers. Evelyn impressed all who knew her with her warmth and good spirits. She was no shrinking violet; she accompanied her daughter to daily workouts at a gym well into her 90’s. Her enthusiastic and animated participation in card games were the stuff of legend. She continued to be an active member of a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses right up to her recent illness.

She is survived by her children, Zona and Charles; grandchildren, Susan Robb Tadewald, Cathy Robb Dockter, Erik Robb, Jessica Robb Prudden, Nellie Shipley Sullivan, William Jon Shipley; and great-grandchildren, Madeline and Oliver Tadewald, Sophia and Evan Robb, Cole and Katie Dockter, Lily Prudden and Katie and Jessica Tomlinson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; siblings, Alvin Marvin Bergh, Alf Bergh, Lloyd Bergh, Joyce Schmidt, Ellen Skramstad; her granddaughter Lara Shipley Fairchild; and one son-in-law, Mike Robb.

Evelyn will be remembered as a loving and beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and as an example of a long-life well lived.

The family requests any memorial gifts to be sent in care of Sanford Health Systems Hospice.