Marion Brusven

Marion Brusven, 88, Steele, died March 21, 2004, at Golden Manor Nursing Home, Steele. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at the Steele Methodist Church, with the Rev. Perry Schnabel officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 7:00 PM Wednesday at the Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Marion Bickel was born June 4, 1915 in a claim shack near Fort Rice, ND, and was the eldest child of Fred and Johanne Johansen Bickel. She had a younger brother, Eugene and a sister, Ethel. In 1917, the family moved to a farm in Pleasant Hill Township about two miles northwest of Steele. Marion attended the Steele Public School through ninth grade and then stayed with her aunt, Sophie Johansen, in Bismarck where she graduated with honors from Bismarck High School. During high school, she belonged to the Girls Athletic Association and participated in basketball, volleyball, folk dancing, softball, and track. She received her teaching certificate from Valley City State College and was a teacher at various country schools in Rexine, Quinby, Excelsior, and Pleasant Townships. Marion enjoyed music and played the harmonica, piano, and organ. She often helped her students and other young people learn how to play the piano. In August 1942, Marion married Olaf Brusven from Mahnomen County, MN. They made their home at her parent's farm, where they raised a family, managed the farming operation, and remained during their retirement years. Marion served as the Pleasant Hill Township Treasurer for 41 years. She was a member of the Steele Methodist Church where she was active in Sunday School and WCTU. She raised a huge garden and canned vegetables to provide balanced nutrition at lowest cost for the family. Throughout her life, Marion was a giving person who went out of her way to look after the needs of others. She had six children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1991. Marion will be remembered for her kindness, quiet strength and spiritual wisdom. Survivors include her sons, Larry and his wife, Shirley Zeiszler of Steele, Bernard and his wife, Linda Jacober of Bismarck, and Karsten of Steele; her daughters, Mary Mac McAfoos of Fordland, MO, Karen Orland Amundson of Hartville, MO, and Donna of Steele; her sister, Ethel Nafus of Eugene, OR; her sister-in-law, Ruth Brusven Bickel of Steele; her grandsons, Barry Amundson Kelly of Oakland, CA, Ryan Amundson of Vietnam, and Troy Brusven of Bismarck; her granddaughters, Meredith James Cusey and Miriam Brusven of Steele, Sheila Dale Larson of Concord, CA; and Lori Douglas Miller of Bismarck; her granddaughter-in-law, Amber Amundson of New Mexico; and seven great-grandchildren. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Olaf, her brother, Eugene, her brother-in-law, Arlo Nafus, and her grandson, Craig Amundson. The family prefers memorials to the Anne Carlsen Center for Children, 301 7th Ave. NW, Jamestown, ND 58401.

Marion Brusven

June 4, 1915 - March 21, 2004