Arthur Bilden

Arthur Bilden, 94, of Northwood, ND passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center where he had been a resident for the past three months. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Arthur Glenn Bilden, the oldest child of Arthur Oli Bilden and Gladys (Sherva) Bilden, was born July 13, 1924 at Northwood. He grew to manhood in Northwood and graduated from Northwood High School, class of 1942. He married Marjorie Heffelfinger on November 26, 1944 in Northwood. The couple began farming and raising their family and were lifelong residents of the Northwood community. Marjorie passed away May 27, 2012.

Art’s love of Northwood was evident in all the examples of community service he was involved in thru-out his life. He was president of the school board, acting postmaster for 18 months, elected to the ND House of Representatives, where he served three terms, church council member and Sunday School Superintendent, mayor from 1971 – 1990, served eight years on the Red River Regional Council, volunteer green’s keeper at the Northwood Golf Course for five years, a member of the Planning Council for two years and the Missouri Basin Agency for eight years.

He would say that none compared with his personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the family he loved so dearly. He was proud of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to mourn his passing are his sons: James (Shari), Gary (Janice), and Randy Bilden, all of Northwood; daughter, Loree (Keith) Prosser, Emerado, ND; grandchildren: Kristoffer (Nicole) Bilden, Ryan (Sara) Bilden, Amber (Chris) Howson, Lyndsay (Grant) Violanti, Justin Bilden, Kaia Hudson, Derek (Mary) Prosser, Blake (Anna) Prosser, and Kirk Prosser; great-grandchildren: Trista and Noah Bilden, Kade, Chloe and Oliva Bilden, Amara, Sawyer and Haven Howson, Kaylee Prosser, Eleanor and Lydia Prosser, and Shanoa Hudson; brothers: John (Verona) Bilden, Pharr, TX; David (Judy) Bilden, Superior, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sisters and their husbands: Lorraine and Bob Ramsey, Jeanne and Dave Knudtsen, infant granddaughter, Allison Marie Bilden and Kursten Kay Bilden (age 14).

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather, to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor 5:8