Hermina Mattern

Hermina Mattern, 76, Bismarck, passed on to eternal life surrounded by her three daughters on Sept. 4, 2013, at her home, after a very courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. Nick Schneider officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.

A rosary will begin at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Hermina "Mina" Anne Burgad was born on June 28, 1937, in Strasburg, the daughter of John and Katherine (Reis) Burgad. She grew up and worked on the family farm near Strasburg, and graduated from Emmons County High School. She attended Valley City Teacher's College and taught school in the Zeeland and Hague area. After she married Franklin Mattern in September of 1957, they moved to Bismarck. She worked at the North Dakota State Lab. Frank and Hermina had four children, Anne, Mary, Pat and Tom. A devoted mother, she gave up her career to stay at home and care for her children. She lovingly and painstakingly assured that Tom, who was born with cystic fibrosis, had the best care possible. She was one of the founders of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of North Dakota, which helped enhance Tom's life, and that of countless other children, still today.

Mina was an excellent cook and often shared her homemade dishes with family and friends. She devoted many long volunteer hours to the CF Association and the Senior Center in Bismarck. She managed to keep her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit; even through the toughest times of her life. She loved gardening and lake time with family. She very much enjoyed her daily walks with her best friend, Mary. Together, they were able to solve many of the world's problems. She had a deep faith which she also shared with family and friends.

She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her daughters, Anne (Ron) Erickson, East Grand Forks, Minn., Mary Mattern, Grand Forks, and Patricia Einarson, Cavalier. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jessika Erickson, Allan Sitzer, Thomas Sitzer and Samantha Sitzer; a great-grandchild, Trenton Sitzer; three sisters, Angie Hager, Linton, Marge Tschosik, Bismarck, and Helen (Eddie) Kramer, Strasburg; one brother, John Burgad, Linton; and many nieces and nephews that she was very close to.

She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Mattern; a son-in-law, Mark Einarson; her parents; her sister, Mary Wikenheiser; a brother, Aloys Burgad; and brothers-in-law, Andy Hager, Max Tschosik and Ray Wikenheiser.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Mina and sign the online guest book. (Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck)