Sylvia Ann Kerian • 1932 - 2005

Sylvia Ann Kerian, 73, Minot, ND, died Thursday, September 29, 2005, at her home.

She was born on May 31, 1932, in Minot, ND, the daughter of Martin and Bernadine (Wulfekuhle) Larson. Sylvia was reared and educated in Grand Forks. In 1949, Sylvia was selected as a delegate from Grand Forks Central High School to the First Girls State. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1950, and was Salutatorian of her class.

Sylvia met Jon Kerian in Grand Forks, ND, where she worked as a secretary for the Grand Forks State's Attorney and for the Superintendent of Schools in Grand Forks.

On December 28, 1959, Sylvia was united in marriage to Jon Kerian in Grand Forks. In 1961, the couple moved to Bismarck, ND, where Sylvia was employed as secretary for the Dean of the Bismarck Junior College. In 1967, they moved to Minot where she volunteered for the Minot Public School System, the YWCA, was a Brownie Troop Leader and was a life member of the Minot Parent Teachers Association. For several years she served as Executive Director of the Minot Symphony and was later the first non-musician to be honored by the Minot Area Council of the Arts.

Sylvia was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot.

Survivors: husband, Judge Jon R. Kerian, Minot; son, John F. Kerian, Minot; daughter, Ann and her husband, Jimmy Fish, Waterloo, IA; grandsons, Benjamin and Noah Fish, Waterloo, IA; brother, Jim and his wife, Nadjah Larson, Ukiah, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Bernadine.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, October 4, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot

Visitation: Monday, October 3, 2005, from noon until 7 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Vigil Prayer Service: Monday, October 3, 2005, at 7 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials sent to one of Sylvia's favorite charities, Catholic Charities North Dakota, Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry, Trinity Hospice or the Minot Symphony Orchestra.

Celebrant of the Liturgy: Monsignor Joseph Senger, chaplain at Trinity Health

Placing of the Funeral Pall: St. Monica's Altar Society Guild and Pastoral Care Committee

Gift Bearers: Ken Fish, Janet Fish, Noah Fish, Benjamin Fish

Readers: Gary Holum, Kathy Gaddie

Floral Tributes offered by: Karla Herzig, family friend & Jenna Rose Herzig, Sylvia and Jon's Goddaughter

Active Bearers: Burt Schultz, Jim Ryan, Dan Herzig, Arvid Carlson, John Noah, Mike Bothun

Music: Opening hymn, "Be Not Afraid"
Offertory "Here I Am Lord"
Communion, "One Bread One Body"
Closing Hymn "On Eagles Wings"
Special music by Minot State University Strings
Lisa Jundt, vocalist and Arnola Leverson, accompanists

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