Ella (Pister) Hegney, 87, Minot and formerly of Max, Ruso, and Kief died on Friday, June 26, 2009 in her home.

Ella was born on June 20, 1922 on the family farm in Strasburg Township of Sheridan County to George and Rosa (Shock) Pister. She was reared on the family farm and attended rural schools in that area. As a young adult she was employed as a housekeeper and childcare provider.

Ella married Selmer Hegney on December 4, 1944 in Washburn, ND. They made their home in Minot until they moved to a farm in Otis Township of McLean County near Ruso, ND, where they farmed side by side until the death of Selmer on December 6, 1986. Ella moved to Max in 1987, where she lived until moving to Minot in September of 2008.

Ella was a long time member of St. John Lutheran Church, Kongsberg until moving to Max. Then, she transferred her membership to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Max and was a member of its LWML and the Max Senior Citizens. She especially enjoyed visiting her family and friends, her flower gardens, quilting, and bowling; but her number one priority was her grandchildren.

Ella's loving family includes her daughters: Maxine (Kenneth) Doll of Bismarck, Sandra (Alfred) Hauf of Max, Lonie (Garry) Hauf of Max, JoAnn (John) Bishop of Minot, Bonnie (Rodney) Plesuk of Surrey, and a granddaughter whom she raised Lisa Marie Jenner of Minot; grandchildren: Cliff (Mary Jo) Doll, Marla (Don) Flath, Kimberly (Rodney) Keller, Ricki (Tammy) Hauf, Lynette (Dan) Nelson, Jerry (Tanya) Hauf, Bryan (Donita) Hauf, Melissa (Shawn) Kramer, Bonita (Cody) Roswick, Lisa (Greg) Jenner, Maidie (Roger) Enget, Katie (Neil) Janz, JaMie (Pete) Hankla, Joshua (Nicole) Bishop, Jennifer (Nathan) Smith, Nicole (Jamie) Magnuson, Reid (Jessica) Plesuk, Ryley (Danielle) Plesuk, 5 Step-Grandchildren, 38 Great-grandchildren, 8 step-great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; sister Faith Hegney of Velva, brother Frank Pister of Kief; sisters-in-law: Helen Pister of Harvey and Mabel Pister of Minot; and numerous nieces, and nephews.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents; husband Selmer; son Selmer Jr.; sisters Anna Erman, Lydia Ness, Elizabeth Pister, and Ida Schremser; brothers Otto, Ted, and George Jr. Pister.

Funeral Service: Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 11:00 am in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Max.
Interment will be at the Kief Cemetery.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.