Nita Jean McKelvey, 80, from Warwick, ND, died Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
Nita Jean was the first of three children born to Glenn and Ducey (Alpha) Randle. She was born on a hot August day in Mayville, ND, in 1942. A sister arrived 18 months later, and a brother 2 years after. They lived in Mayville for five years before moving to Devils Lake. Two years later, their family of five moved to Ft. Totten where Ducey began teaching for the government school for the next 20 or so years. Nita attended grade school in Devils Lake and Ft. Totten and high school in Sheyenne.
In her first marriage, she lived in Fargo and Fresno, CA, where 2 daughters were born. Two years later they took their single engine airplane to Fairbanks, AK. They returned to ND and had a son. Things were not looking well in their marriage and a divorce became final. Shortly after Nita then attended college at Lake Region Junior College and then moved to Grand Forks where she attended Aakers Business College, enrolling as a medical secretary. She worked at UND School of Medicine in the Anatomy Department.
She met and married Johnnie (Bud) McKelvey, a dairy farmer from Warwick, on Feb. 16, 1973. A new life began for them by joining families. There was gardening to do, insemination classes to attend, a baby girl born too early, and 1 ½ years later, a healthy baby girl was born. She also learned how to milk cows, combine grain, feed an army (the family) and later in life worked at The Fashion Boutique in Devils Lake. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with a small surprise party held at their farm.
Having been brought up on the reservation, she understood the many sorrows and heartaches some of the natives endured, some because they were good friends with Bud and Nita. God provided many opportunities to listen and to share their love of Jesus with them.
Nita attended New Life Fellowship for 30 plus years until poor health kept her from attending. She held Bible studies in Leeds, held revivals in their home, and various opportunities to share the love of Christ Jesus.
She died of kidney failure directly related to a 40-year history of diabetes and heart problems. She passed into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ, while on the farm, on May 24, 2023, under the care of her daughters, a granddaughter Becca, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Survivors include husband, Johnnie (Bud); children, Cleasa (Marty) Anderson, Oriska; Melanie D. McKelvey, rural Tolna; Todd Nelson, Devils Lake; Melanie L. (Michael) Carter, Devils Lake; Tanya (Jonathan) Schoessow, Fargo; brother, Chuck (Joan) Randle, Pequot Lakes, MN; sisters-in-law, Audrey Gjestvang, Bismarck, & Ruth McKelvey, Underwood, ND; 18 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren and an aunt, Ava Wadholm, Sylmar, CA.
Preceding her in death were her parents; son, Chet; daughter, Teri Ann; sister, Karen Marsaa; brothers-in-law, Verle Marsaa, Harlan McKelvey and Arnold Gjestvang and three grandchildren.
Visitation and prayer service were May 31 with the Funeral to be June 1 at 11 a.m. at New Life Fellowship, rural Hamar, ND, Rev. Jeff Kapelle officiating. Burial will be at the Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, ND
Pallbearers: Marty Anderson, Michael Carter, Jonathan Schoessow, Todd (Odie) Aasand, Terrence Klipfel, & Michael Marsaa
Honorary Bearers: All of Nita’s Family and all her Close Friends
On-line condolences may be sent at www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com
