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Melvena Bier

1920 - 2025

Melvena Bier obituary, 1920-2025, Bismarck, ND

BORN

1920

DIED

2025

FUNERAL HOME

Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service - Bismarck

2330 Tyler Parkway

Bismarck, North Dakota

Melvena Bier Obituary

Melvena (McLeish) Bier

September 1, 1920 - March 5, 2025

With deep love and cherished memories, we announce the passing of Melvena (McLeish) Bier, who left this world on March 5, 2025 at Baptist Health & Rehab in Bismarck, N.D. She lived a remarkable life of one hundred four years, devoted as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her faith in God was her foundation, guiding her kindness, resilience, and unwavering love for her family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 19, at Parkway Funeral Service in Bismarck, with visitation available one hour prior.

She will be laid to rest in the Braddock Community Cemetery.

Melvena Delores Beahm was born on September 1, 1920, in a sod house south of Alamota, Kansas, to John and Elizabeth Beahm. When she was just a year old, her family moved across the yard into a Sears and Roebuck catalog home, where she spent her childhood and high school years. She graduated from Dighton High School in 1938.

In April 1939, she married Thurman McLeish in a double ceremony alongside Thurman's sister. The following year, they moved to Los Angeles, where Thurman worked for Douglas Aircraft Company. Their first son, James, was born in April 1942, and Melvena embraced her role as a stay-at-home mother. A year later, they returned to Kansas to farm and ranch with Thurman's father, and in August 1945, they welcomed their second son, Stephen. At the time, Melvena was in the hospital with Stephen when news broke that the atomic bomb had been dropped on Japan, marking the end of World War II.

During the war years, Melvena managed the household, cooking and caring for her family and the hired hands working on the McLeish farm. In 1950, Thurman and his father purchased a ranch in North Dakota, leading the family to travel back and forth between Kansas and North Dakota until they settled permanently in 1965.

Tragedy struck in July 1978 when Thurman passed away in a farm accident. Melvena remained on the ranch for ten years before marrying Howard Bier in 1988. Together, they embraced a life of adventure, traveling across the country while living between rural Hazelton, North Dakota, and wintering in Mesa, Arizona. In 2000, they sold their Arizona home and moved to a condo in Bismarck. As the years passed, they transitioned to Edgewood Village, later moving to Prairie Pointe and Baptist Health & Rehab, where Melvena joined Howard to be closer to him.

Melvena had a zest for life and a wide range of passions. She loved barrel racing, painting, birdwatching, traveling, playing bridge, crossword puzzles, and watching sports. Until her eyesight declined at age 96, she kept up with family on Facebook, cherishing every update. Her greatest joy came from time spent with loved ones. She took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, always present and engaged, and captivated family and friends with her sharp memory and endless humorous stories.

Her love for popcorn and ice cream was well known, but her dislike of chocolate became a family joke-perhaps the only person any of us had ever met who truly did not enjoy it!

Above all, Melvena's warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know her. She lived by faith, drawing strength from her relationship with God. Though words cannot fully capture the depth of our loss, we find comfort in the beautiful memories she created.

Melvena is reunited in eternal life with her late husband, Thurman McLeish; son, Stephen McLeish; sisters, Helen Johnson, Edna Mumma, and Eleanor Weseman; and parents, John and Elizabeth Beahm.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 36 years, Howard, who is now 105 years old; son, Jim (Yvonne) McLeish; daughter-in-law, Betty McLeish; step-children, Jerry Bier, Susan (Neal Pointer) Bier, and Dennis (Wendy) Bier; grandchildren, Stephanie (Mark Chanes) McLeish, Sarah (John) Funkhouser, Michael (Kimberly) McLeish, and Meriah (Michael) Harkavi; step-grandchildren, Claire Bier, Drew Bier, and Jack Bier; and great-grandchildren, James and Henry McLeish and Corbin and Mavis Harkavi.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Braddock Community Cemetery. Please send donations to 6030 4th Ave SE, Hazelton, ND 58544.

Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories and sign the online guestbook.
Published by The Bismarck Tribune on Mar. 7, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

Amanda Krein

March 11, 2025

Such a sweet person always there when u need here

Susan Bier

March 11, 2025

Melvena was my step-mom - and a great one. From the very beginning her unconditional acceptance of the Bier clan won us over. I love how generous she was talking about and sharing stories of her friendship with my mom. I love especially how much she loved my dad. It was clear from the get-go they were going to have a wonderful life together - and they did. She brought spunk and joy to their lives everyday. I loved her sassy smart sense of humor. I love that they traveled, that they made good friends in Mesa and everywhere they went. I love that dad got grandchildren and how generous our families have been with our love for each other. Melvena fostered that. I will miss her smile. I will miss her.

David Kuipers

March 7, 2025

What a wonderful lady she was, and it was an honor to have known her.

Ellen Larvick Dunlop

March 7, 2025

Melvena was a grand addition to our Bier family and such a great companion for my Uncle Howard. She was enthusiastic and remembered names of extended family ... always asking about our rodeo grands. Loved her so much!
Ellen Larvick Dunlop

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Memorial Events
for Melvena Bier

Apr

19

Visitation

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service - Bismarck

2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND 58503

Apr

19

Funeral service

11:00 a.m.

Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service - Bismarck

2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND 58503

Funeral services provided by:

Parkway Funeral and Cremation Service - Bismarck

2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND 58503

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