Elizabeth Sheppard

Elizabeth “Betty” Sheppard, 88, went to be with Jesus on October 6, 2019.  Her illness came on quickly and she was surrounded by family and loved ones for the two weeks before she passed away at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.

Betty was born in Conway, ND, on the family farm.  Her parents were Harold and Geneva Krumpos Maxwell. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Harold, Hilliard, William and Jerry.  She is survived by her two sisters, Barbara Jean Maxwell Foerster Estad and Ruthe Maxwell Ward Nilson, all her 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. 

Betty graduated from Walsh County High School in Park River in 1949, and went on to attend Grand Forks Deaconess School of Nursing for 3 years where she received her RN degree. Betty worked for 20 years at Valley Memorial Home as an RN, where she loved taking care of her patients, singing and whistling to them as she cared for them on the evening shift.

She married Alan Sheppard in May 1952, and they raised 5 children out in the country south of Grand Forks. Her children include Richard (Karen), Jean (John) Schaffer, Rita (Wayne) Stephens, James (Laurie), and Robert (Cheryl).

She always had a song in her heart whether she was singing or whistling.  She enjoyed working in her garden, tending her many flowers, and camping with the family in a camper that they converted from a school bus.  She was very active in Zion United Methodist Church, getting involved where ever she could: teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, being involved with the Women’s Circle and the youth fellowship.  She was involved in church right up to the end of her life. 

Betty enjoyed the community and church family when she lived in Mountain Lake, MN, and also for the 16 years that she lived in Coeur d’Alene, ID. She was happy to return to Grand Forks for the final year of her life, where she was a blessing to her family.  She especially loved helping Karen babysit the great-grandkids; they all had a special place in her heart and she was greatly loved by them all.

Betty’s faith in the Lord was fundamental in her life.  She began by leading her children in family devotions when they were little at the breakfast table; she attended church faithfully every Sunday during her entire life. She would spend hours in God’s Word every week and has always prayed for her family daily.  She loved the Lord and looked forward to going to heaven to be with Him for all of eternity. 

Memorial Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Living Word Family Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church.

A celebration of her life is planned for a later date at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID.