Bessie Wildfang

Bessie Wildfang, 109, Bismarck, died August 18, 2005 in a local hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday a t McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Art Scanson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from noon to 9:00 PM Thursday and 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Bessie Lydia Wildfang, a pioneer daughter of Philip E. and Hattie Roth, was born September 4, 1895 at the Roth farm home, five miles north of McKenzie in Dakota Territory. Philip and Hattie had two additional daughters, Florence Lena Roth Larson born in 1892 and Edith Edna Roth Roberts, born in 1897 Bessie and her sisters attended school in McKenzie township and at the age of 14, Bessie and Florence left for Valley City to attend the Valley City Teachers College. Upon completing two years of college, Bessie taught school for a short time. Bessie and Henry "Heinie" Wildfang were married on May 3, 1915 at the family home in McKenzie. Shortly after, they moved to an apartment in the back of the Sterling State Bank where Heinie was Assistant Cashier. Over the years, as the bank prospered, its name was changed to The State Bank of Burleigh County with exchanges at Moffit and Wing. Heinie became President and principal stockholder and Bessie was a Director. In those same early years, Henry Jr. "Bud" and Dorothy were born. Their tiny apartment soon became too cramped and a new house was built on top of a hill on the northwest edge of Sterling where Betty Jo and Ramon were born. The children attended school in Sterling, and carried with them many happy and fond memories of those wonderful years. In 1962, The State Bank of Burleigh County was sold and moved to Bismarck and since Bessie and Heinie maintained an interest, the sale necessitated a family move to Bismarck. In 1964 Heinie died and Bessie remained on the bank board providing more than 40 years of service before retiring. The State Bank was later sold and became the United Bank of Bismarck and later, a part of the First Bank system. Bessie maintained her home in Bismarck and carried on a full and active life enjoying her family, many friends and pets until her passing. Sadly, she was preceded in death by her sisters, three of her children, Dorothy, Betty Jo, and Ramon, and her loving daughter-in-law, Arlyne, Bud's wife. Bessie is survived by her son, Bud of Midwest City, OK; her grandchildren, Philip Wildfang, Mark Swedenburg, Lisa Lewis, Desiree Walton, and William Wildfang; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Her only niece, Vivian Kershaw, sister Florence's daughter, resides in Menoken, and was a cherished friend who was regarded by Bessie much as a loving daughter.

Bessie Wildfang

September 4, 1895 - August 18, 2005