Sherry Feist

Sherry Feist

Sherry Kay Feist, 72, Bismarck, died April 23, 2009, at Medcenter One St. Vincent's Care Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at St. Vincent's Care Center, Bismarck, with the Rev. Jim Moos officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at St. Vincent's Care Center.

Sherry was born March 3, 1937, in Fargo, the eldest of two daughters born to Harold and Leora (Patterson) McDonough. After moving to Wing, Sherry attended grade school and high school there where she graduated in 1955.

Following graduation, Sherry attended junior college at Bismarck for a year. She worked at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for a year before beginning employment at St. Alexius Hospital as an insurance clerk for several years. Desiring more education, Sherry attended Dickinson State College where she was president of Young Democrats on campus. She received her bachelor of science degree in secondary education, majoring in English with a minor in library science.

After obtaining her degree, Sherry taught English at Hughes Junior High, Bismarck, for one year. Following her move to Renville, Minn., she taught library skills while serving as librarian for the school there for seventeen years.

On Aug. 21, 1976, Sherry married Leo Feist at United Church of Christ in West St. Paul, Minn. The couple moved to Apple Valley, Minn., where Sherry served as librarian in a school there for seven years. In summers, she furthered her education at the University of Minnesota.

Though diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her first year of college in 1956, Sherry remained active as long as her disease was in remission. In 1987, Sherry retired as librarian and educator due to deteriorating health relating to the disease.

Always an avid reader, Sherry also enjoyed her hobbies of creating seasonal wreaths, cooking, canning tomatoes and making peach jelly. She was a faithful Twins fan who enjoyed watching their games on tv. Sherry's faith was an anchor that guided her throughout her life.

Following Leo's retirement in 1991, the couple moved to Bismarck, where she remained at home until deteriorating health necessitated her admission to Medcenter One Care Center, Mandan. Sherry moved from there to Medcenter One St. Vincent's Care Center, Bismarck, in November 1998.

Always a highlight for her were Leo's daily visits at St. Vincent's until his death in October 1999. Proud of her Irish heritage, Sherry was known for her Irish memorabilia she displayed year around in her room there. When pre-planning her funeral several years ago, she stated with no hesitation, "I want to be buried in my emerald green velvet dress, but I want to wear it for St. Patrick's Day first!"

Sherry is survived by a nephew, Sean (Shelly) Finneman, and niece, Cherie Finneman, both of Fargo; her aunts, Marcille Reicker, Jamestown, and Boots Bazini, Grand Haven, Mich.. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Clara Feist, Julia Feist, both of Bismarck, Betty Nolz, Herriot, S.D., and Agatha Materi, Wishek; a special friend, Arlene Abraham, Bismarck; along with many friends at Medcenter One St. Vincent's Care Center.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Leora McDonough; her husband, Leo Feist; her sister, Linda Finneman; and several aunts and uncles.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Sherry and sign the online guest book.