Evelyn Valentine Burgess, 100, Velva, died Monday, May 11, 2009 in a Velva Care Center. 

Evelyn Valentine Rice was born February 14, 1909 at Maddock, North Dakota, the first of sixteen children to Herman and Anna (Bjerkan) Rice.  She was raised and educated at Maddock and attended Minot State Teachers College.  She taught at rural schools in Benson County and later worked at Montgomery Ward in Minot. 

Evelyn was united in marriage to Russell William Burgess in October of 1937 at Devils Lake.  They lived in Minot for a time until moving to Ohio and Michigan during World War II, where Russell was employed by the U.S. Government, as an electronic equipment inspector.   

 They returned to North Dakota in 1945, and moved to McClusky, where they owned and operated the Roxy Theatre.  In 1959, they moved to Williston, where they operated the A&W Drive In.  In 1965, they moved to Velva, where they built and then operated the Valley Outdoor Theatre until 1975, when they retired.  They continued to make their home in Velva.  Russell died November 7, 2006.  

Evelyn was a longtime member of the Velva United Methodist Church, the UMW Women’s group, the UMW Quilter’s group and the Velva Senior Citizens. 

Evelyn is survived by her Son, Ross (Carol Ann) Burgess, Johns Island, S.C., Grandchildren, Suzanne, Sara and Brian; Great-Grandchildren, Kayleigh and Calvin; Sisters, Lucille Larson, Seattle, WA, Patricia Banko, Kenmore, WA, Blanche Schmid, Bismarck, ND, Katherine Larson, Yerington, NV; Brothers, John Rice, Mesa, AZ, David Rice, Sun City, AZ, Gene Rice, Mondovi, WI, and Jay Rice, Maddock, ND. 

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Ruthanne, who died in 2002, sisters, Jewel Lynner, Alice Harris and Helen Rice and brothers, Harley, Willard, Wallace and Gerald Rice. 

Funeral service: Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Velva United Methodist Church;
Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva;
Visitation:  At her request, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign the memorial register book on Thursday from noon-5:00p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

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