Melissa M. Jiras

Melissa Marie (Schwab) Jiras, 65, died Saturday, October 13, 2018, from complications of Leukemia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, October 19, at Church of St. Mary, 806 E. Broadway Ave., Bismarck. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation is from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, October 18, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Melissa was born in Bismarck, ND, on September 28, 1953, to Lawrence and Marie (Schneider) Schwab. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish Family in Bismarck, ND. Melissa attended St. Mary’s Grade School, St. Mary’s Central High School and the University of Mary. Melissa worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator. She married Dewey Jiras, July 31, 1976. They made their home on the family farm east of Baldwin. Melissa kept busy raising their four children as well as working in town. Melissa had a passion for hard work. She worked at Target for over 20 years, Wal-Mart, and Expressway Inn. Melissa’s greatest joys were her 10 grandchildren and quilting. Her pastimes were reading, crafting, crocheting, she loved planting flowers, playing cards, traveling, camping, watching football and volunteering with 4-H.   Melissa is survived by her children: Marie and Andrew Horning, Lincoln; Wesley and Sara Jiras, Lincoln; Corey and Cassie Jiras, Mandan; and Hayley and Josh Akre, Lincoln. Her beautiful grandchildren: Theresa, Eleanore, Laura, Ethan, Anne, Kensington, Helen, Michael, Dorthea and William. Three sisters: Patricia Schwab, Denver; Mary and Steve DuBord, Bismarck; and Susanna Young, Whetstone, AZ. Four brothers: Tim Schwab, Bismarck; Steve and Mary Schwab, Bismarck; Larry Schwab, Seattle; and Dennis and Renee Schwab, Bismarck. Melissa is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Melissa was preceded in death by her parents; her sister-in-law, Katherine Stoxen; and her brother-in-law, Dan Young. The family would like to sincerely thank the medical and nursing staff at Sanford in Bismarck and Fargo Roger Maris Clinic for the care, comfort and humor they shared with Melissa in the past six months.