Eloise Clarissa Rist, 98, longtime Velva resident died on Friday, September 28, 2012 in a Velva care center with her loving family by her side.

Eloise was born on October 25, 1913 in New Richland, MN to Harry and Agnes (Johnson) Christenson. She was reared and educated in Velva and graduated from Velva High School in 1931. As a young adult she was employed at the Truax-Traer Mine office as the office secretary until 1939.
Eloise married James Rist, Jr. on October 16, 1939 in Sidney, MT. They made their home in Velva prior to moving to Livermore CA while her husband served in the U.S. Navy. The family lived in Minneapolis, MN and Manhattan, KS prior to James' death in 1954. Eloise and her children returned to Velva in 1954 where she was employed as the bookkeeper at Star City Motors for twenty-five years until she retired in 1986.
Eloise was a member of the Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva where she was active as a Sunday school teacher, Luther League advisor and member of the ladies organization. She was a former member of the Velva Senior Citizens. She especially enjoyed visiting residents at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.

Eloise's loving family includes her children: Jim (Norma Jean) Rist of Velva and Robert (Coleen) Rist of Minot; former daughter-in-law: Jan Hemmisch of Bismarck; grandchildren: Donna (Ward) Knutson, Paula (Mark) Bearman, Jason (Kari) Rist, Sara (Ryan) Klein, Robert Rist, Kristi (Dave) Jensen and Cory Rist; great grandchildren: Kyle and Karli Knutson, Calli and Brent Bearman, Caleb, MacKenzie, Logan and Mason Rist, Crew Klein, Drew, Kiara and Klarissa Jensen and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister: Vida Mae Christenson and brother and sister-in-law: Vergil and Gloria Christenson.

Celebration of the Life of Eloise Rist : Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church - Velva.
Interment will be prior to the service in the Velva Community Cemetery.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Family Service : Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church Velva.
Memorials are preferred to the Souris Valley Care Center or Oak Valley Sunday school.

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