Thelma Ness died at the home of her oldest daughter, Monica LeSoine, after a short battle with cancer, on Jan. 24, 2011, with her loving family around her.

Thelma was born Jan. 26, 1939, in Eureka to Tom and Lucille Burch. She was next to the youngest of nine children. Thelma attended all 12 years of school in Eureka.

In 1958 Thelma married her first husband, James Shay. To this union they had two beautiful daughters, Monica and Danita. Thelma also owned and operated Eureka Insurance Agency. They divorced in 1986.

In 1986 Thelma began her life with Dennis Ness. October 1986, they moved to Bowbells, N.D. Thelma took a job at the Farm Service Agency (FSA Office) where she was employed for about nine years. Dennis Ness passed away in January of 2005.

In 2008, Thelma never dreamed she could or would love again, but in July of that year she met and became engaged to Charles Lotvedt of Williston, N.D. 

On Nov. 3, 2010, Thelma was diagnosed with aggressive and terminal lung and bone cancer.

Thelma is survived by her fiance, Charles Lotvedt, in Williston; her daughter, Monica, and David LeSoine, and their sons, Cahill and Rees LeSoine, of Florence; daughter, Danita Shay, and her son, Kevyn Fitzpatrick, of Kalispell; son-in-law, Tom Fitzpatrick, of Kalispell; stepsons, Travis Ness, of Puyallup, Wash., and Trevor Ness and sons, Jesse and Jacob; brothers-in-law, Wayne Ness of Bowbells, N.D., and Ed Lockwood and son, Shane, of Fargo, N.D.; sisters, Rosella, Beatrice, Patricia and Carol; and numerous nieces, nephews, and tons of loving friends.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Ness; her parents, Tom and Lucille Burch; her brothers, Thomas and Jerry; her sisters, Jean and Helen; and several nieces and nephews.

At Thelma's request, there will be no funeral service. She asked to be cremated and her ashes will be scattered by her children at a later date.