Bessie Mae Effertz , 92, Minot and formerly of rural Velva died on Friday, August 21, 2009 in the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Bessie was born on January 9, 1917 on the family farm in Gasman Township of Ward County, south of Minot, ND to Ole and Katheryn (Muzzy) Soum. She was reared on the family farm and attended Gasman Township School before graduating from Minot High School in 1932. She earned her standard teaching certificate from Minot Normal School in 1933 and taught near Douglas, ND for one year.

Bessie married Jerome Effertz on September 10, 1935 in Minot. They made their home on a farm north of Velva in North Prairie Township of McHenry County where they raised small grains and cattle. Jerome died in November of 1967. Following the death of her husband, she continued to reside on the farm before moving to Minot in 1971 where she was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital as food service supervisor. She held that position until her retirement in 1983. She resided at the Thompson Lake condominium complex for many years prior to moving to Edgewood Vista in 2003. She had been a resident of the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva since April of 2009.

Bessie was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot, Order of Eastern Star and a local homemakers group. Her hobbies included cooking and gardening.

Her loving family includes her sons: Ronald (Marla) Effertz, Boulder City, Nevada and Jerry (Norma) Effertz, Velva, North Dakota. Grandchildren: Roger (Suzy) Effertz, Kim (Kevin) Smith, Julie Collins, Paul (Marlana) Effertz, Maria (Mike) Hanson and Kayla Effertz; eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband - Jerome; brother - Raymond Soum and granddaughter - Lisa Effertz.

Funeral Service: Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Congregational United Church of Christ - Minot.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred to the Congregational United Church of Christ - Minot, Edgewood Vista or the Souris Valley Care Center - Velva.