Minerva Palmer • 1916 - 2005

Minerva Palmer, 89, Garrison, ND, died Saturday, November 19, 2005, in a Garrison hospital.

Minerva was born on October 28, 1916, at Wolseth, ND, the daughter of Andrew and Osie (Halgrimson) Spelhaug. She was raised in the Wolseth area where she graduated from Wolseth High School. She continued her education by attending beauty school and later working as a beautician until she married Alfred.

She married Alfred Benjamin Palmer on November 12, 1940, at Wolseth, ND. The couple farmed most of their lives in the Ruthville area. As with many farmers' wives, Minerva's was responsible for keeping their lives moving. In 1955, they started Palmer's Mobile Home Park in Ruthville. The couple did everything together and had a great marriage. She was a very loving mother to her children. Minerva was a determined woman and made sure her family was raised in a good Christian way.

The couple moved to Minot in 1974, after their retirement. Alfred died on January 6, 1998, in Minot.

The last couple of years Minerva resided at the Garrison Hospital in Garrison, where she received very loving care from the nurses and the doctors. Minerva's family thanks them for their kindness.

Minerva's favorite activity later in life was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She loved holding babies. One of Minerva's and Alfred's favorite pastimes was playing bingo at the Moose Lodge in Minot and she was very lucky.

Minerva was a longtime member of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot and was active with Lutheran Women's Mission League. She was an avid church attendee and made sure her family was present every Sunday.

Survivors: sons, Richard (Sharon) Palmer, and Lyle (Margaret) Palmer, all of Minot; Judy (Gary) Weitenhagen, Marysville, WA; grandchildren, Shelly (Dan) Ganje, Nicole (Darin) Sabastian, Jay (Holly) Palmer, Dean (Muriel) Weitenhagen, Toni (Fred) Owen, Brad (Pam) Palmer, Jeff Palmer, Brian (Alysa) Palmer; great-grandchildren, Tanner Ganje and Kyra Palmer, Jack and Corbin Weitenhagen, Liam Owens, Jorden and Brennan Palmer, Coles and Carson Sabastian and Max Palmer; brothers, Bennie (Lucille) Spelhaug, Glenburn, ND, and Chet Spelhaug, Marysville, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred; her parents; great-grandchildren, Brittney Ganje and Micah and Emma Palmer; brothers and sister, Henry, Ray, Alvin, Selma, Olga and Theodore.

Funeral Service: Friday, November 25, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot located 1.5 miles north of the Main Gate to the Minot Air Force Base.

Visitation: Today, Wednesday, November 23, 2005, from Noon until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Memorials preferred to Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18301 Highway 83 North, Glenburn, ND 58740.

Officiant: Rev. Tom Eaves

Music: Hardy Lieberg, vocalist
"Amazing Grace" "The Lords Prayer"
Congregational hymns, "My Faith Looks Up To Thee" "Take My Life and Let It Be"
Dr. Mark Dimond, organist

Honorary Bearers: Minerva's family, friends and members of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church

Active Bearers: Dean Weitenhagen, Bradley Palmer, Jeff Palmer, Brian Palmer, Jay Palmer Roger Spelhaug

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