Melissa "Missy" Hellman

Melissa "Missy" Hellman, 41, Bismarck, went to meet the Lord while surrounded by her family on February 19, 2015, at CHI St. Alexius Health after a courageous battle with breast cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 12:00 Noon CST at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond Street, Bismarck, ND, with Monsignor Thomas Richter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bismarck, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5:30 – 8:00 PM CST at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM CST. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Melissa was born in Bismarck, ND, on August 2, 1973, to Harold and Delores Thompson. She grew up on the family farm near Kintyre, ND, and was very active in 4-H with sewing projects and showing a variety of farm animals. She attended and graduated from Steele High School and participated in basketball, cheerleading, band and choir. She then went on to the University of Mary and graduated with degrees in accounting and business management. While in college, she was senior class vice-president as well as a member of band and pep-band as a percussionist. Following college, she worked at Aetna for four years before joining National Information Solutions Cooperative. She has worked at NISC for more than 14 years and was currently serving as the team lead of Human Resources. On October 21, 2000, Melissa married her best friend, Russell Hellman. In the following years, they welcomed their daughter, Hannah and son, Kendall. Melissa lived for her family and enjoyed many activities with them including softball, volleyball and camping. Melissa was happiest when spending time with family and friends. She also loved to travel and recently had the opportunity to enjoy many memorable family trips together to various destinations. Melissa was a hard-working, dedicated, caring person and enjoyed working with people greatly. Melissa had a wonderful personality and a special gift to make everyone she met feel special. Her smile could light up the darkest of rooms. Melissa also loved sports. Whether it was cheering on her family or her beloved Dallas Cowboys, Melissa found great joy in a little healthy competition. Most importantly, Melissa was a strong Christian woman whose faith never faltered through her four-year battle. She embodied the phrase "Fight Like a Girl" and approached each and every challenge head on. Melissa lived her life by the Word and showed her faith by serving others and through her involvement and dedication to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit parish. Melissa didn't let cancer define her; her faith did. Melissa is survived by her husband, Russ of Bismarck; children, Hannah and Kendall of Bismarck; parents, Harold and Delores Thompson of Kintyre; brother, Berent Nancy Thompson of Kintyre; brother-in-law, Paul Schneider of Bismarck; sister-in-law, Sharon Lipp of Bismarck; father-in-law and mother-in- law, Art and Pauline Hellman of Glen Ullin; brothers-in-law, Darren Hellman of Glen Ullin, Shane Jenny Hellman of Glen Ullin, and Evan Shantel Hellman of Bismarck; sister-in-law, Val Chris Gerving of Bismarck; nieces and nephews, Chris Dana Schneider of Kansas City, KS, Nicole Andrey Borkovskiy of Rochester, MN, Kyle Schneider of Minneapolis, MN, Aaron Jess Lipp of Bismarck, Ashley John Hoppe of West Fargo, ND, Callie, Carson, Courtney and Cash Thompson, all of Kintyre, Samantha Hellman of Fargo, Chandra Hellman and Roxanna Hellman of Glen Ullin, Payton and Sydney Gerving of Bismarck, Colton and Dalton Hellman of Glen Ullin; and two great-nieces, McKenna Hoppe of West Fargo and Sofia Borkovskiy of Rochester, MN. She is preceded in death by her sister, Renee Schneider; brother, Keith Lipp; sister-in-law, Janell Hellman; brother-in-law, Kenneth Hellman; and grandparents, Andrew and Mary Kambeitz and Hanna and Magnus Thompson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Bismarck Cancer Center of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Melissa "Missy" Hellman

August 2, 1973 - February 19, 2015