Obituary: Almyra Topp

Almyra Topp, 81, of Carrington, N.D., died June 1, 2018, in Jamestown, N.D. Funeral Services were held June 6, 2018, in Bethel Assembly of God, Carrington, N.D. Rev. Randy Hahne officiated and special music was provided by Dori Donaldson and Carol Kapelle. Burial was at Grace City Cemetery, Grace City, N.D. Casket bearers were Gary Johnson, Ray Johnson, Jarrett Orvik, Arlo Stedman, Roy Bieblehimmer and Lyle Dahl. Honorary bearers included all her grandchildren.

Almyra Marylyn Orvik was born to Alvin and Selma (Havn) Orvik on November 19, 1936 at Michigan, N.D. She attended rural school in Nelson County and graduated from McVille High School in 1954. She attended summer school at Mayville State Teachers College (MSU) and taught school in Cherry Lake Township, Eddy County and Loretta Township School, Grand Forks County.

Almyra was united in marriage to Kenneth Topp on July 14, 1957, at Aneta, N.D. She worked as the office manager for 30 plus years at Farmer's Elevator, Inc., in Grace City. She was a charter member and first president of the National Sunflower Association and was selected as "Outstanding Farm Woman of the Year" by Country Farm Wife magazine in 1979.

She was active in several churches over the years, including Grace City United Methodist Church, Faith Bible Chapel of Grace City, New Life Fellowship of rural Hamar and Bethel Assembly of God in Carrington. She was church organist for 60 years, beginning to play at age 13. She was an Auxiliary of the Gideon's International for 40 years and participated in Christian Women's Club of Carrington, Columbia County Homemaker's, Borderette's Homemakers and the Grace City Community Betterment Club.

She is survived by three children, Jeff (Jan) of Grace City; Kimm (Don) Rust, Cogswell; Todd (Sara), Louis Eduardo, Brazil; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three brothers; Gelaine (Linda), Fargo; Jerome (Jan), Fargo and Earl (Jane), Adams, Minn.; sister Shirley (Jack) Hanson, Florence, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, Neil; a sister, Mavis, and a grandson.

Arrangements made by Evans Funeral Home, N.D.