Marva June Jorstad

Marva June Jorstad, 70, Bismarck, passed away on April 29, 2019, at St. Alexius Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. Marva was enjoying coffee fellowship with friends when she had a stroke, the result being her passing. She was in remission from pancreatic cancer and had been living an active life.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Monday, May 6, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Julie Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Sunday, May 5, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm.

Marva was born December 15, 1948, in Dickinson, ND, the daughter of Oliver and Ida (Brandner) Jorstad. After the death of Oliver, Ted Strom came into Marva’s life as a father. Marva grew up in New England where she graduated from high school in 1966. She graduated from Dickinson State College with a bachelor’s in science in Elementary Education in 1970. Upon graduation she moved to Bismarck to start her teaching career. Her first teaching job was at Rita Murphy Elementary School, where she taught for 42 years in the same classroom. She knew it was time to retire when she was about to teach the grandkids of the first class she ever taught. Marva retired in 2012 from Rita Murphy. She was honored as a teacher by receiving the Crystal Apple Award.

Marva took time to travel with friends after retirement, many stories were shared about these adventures. Flowers and plants took up much of her time in the summer, you knew which yard hers when driving by. She was an avid collector of many things; Christmas decorations, snowmen decorations, clocks, apples, just to name a few. Marva’s faith was renewed in the Lord after her battle with pancreatic cancer. She was also a volunteer on the church library committee at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She enjoyed her lunches with the retired Rita Murphy teachers. Bunco group was also a highlight for her. Family and friends were very important to her, she touched the lives of many.

Marva is survived by her nieces, Nicki Jorstad and Heather Jorstad (Jon Cavett); sister-in-law, Margo Jorstad; cousins, Ray Jorstad, Marvin (Bernie) Jorstad, Annetta Jesch, LaVon (Arlin) Reindel, Arlys (Allen) Schmidt, John (Peggy) Stenmoen, Nancy Stenmoen, Clyde (Suzanne) Bender, Bruce (Judy) Bender, Alan (Valarie) Jorstad, Maureen (Jack) Hanson, Curtis (Trish) Tews, LeAnn (Gary) Cooper, Bradley (Brenda) Tews; special friends, Connie Meyer, Virginia Jestnes, Lorry Upgren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather; brother, Duane Jorstad; and many aunts and uncles and those who loved her.