Eilene Biwer, 94, of Tioga, ND, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the Tioga Medical Long Term Care Center in Tioga, ND.

Eilene Elfrida Hildegard Johnson Biwer joined her Heavenly Father, at age 94, on December 15, 2022.

Eilene was born on May 30, 1928, in Williston, ND, to Oscar G Johnson, originally from Sweden, and Edith Olson Johnson, from Norway. Eilene was proud of her Scandinavian upbringing on their family farm north of Alamo, ND, where she raised her pet skunk. In high school, she lettered in basketball and enjoyed pep club, music, drama, and sewing. She graduated with 12 students in her class, many of whom continued to be lifelong friends. After graduation, she earned her teaching certificate at Minot State Teacher’s College. In 1948, Eilene became a teacher in Tioga.

Eilene married Walt Biwer on December 28, 1949, and they were blessed with 10 children. She loved her family, her church, and her friends. Their home in Tioga was always full of their children and their friends.

Later in life, Walt, Eilene, along with their youngest son, Travis, moved to Minot, where Eilene went back to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education at Minot State University. They made some wonderful friends and enjoyed living in Minot. Eilene took pride in her teaching position at St. Leo’s Catholic School.

Eilene served in various church committees throughout the years at the St. Thomas Catholic Church. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She spent many years on the bowling league, and she enjoyed being in Bridge Club. Eilene was always up for a game of cards or scrabble with friends and family. After retirement, she and Walt could often be found at the Tioga Senior Center playing cards and games with their good friends. At the end of the day, Eilene could find nothing better than a good book.

Eilene was always able to find so much joy in her life and the people around her. You could often find her laughing so hard, there were tears. Her laugh is one that will always be remembered. All the way to her last years, she always looked forward to the late night phone calls from her children and grandchildren. Even when wheelchair bound, she was excited to go on all the adventures and vacations. Her children and family were her passion, and she enjoyed their love to the end of her life. Eilene was truly blessed to spend almost all of her years in her home, loved and cared for by her children as well as her wonderful caretaker Becky Kingston.

Eilene is survived and missed by her daughters, Julie (Mick) Arness and Heidi (John) Cron; sons, Paul (Cheryl), Kenny (Sue), and Travis Biwer, as well as her daughters-in-law, Pattie Biwer and Linda Biwer and sister-in-law, Marlene Fortier. She will be forever cherished and remembered by her twelve grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, whom she loved so much.

Eilene was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Edith; her husband of 57 years, Walt, who passed in 2006; her brothers, Melford (1926-2017) and Wally (1930-2020) Johnson; her daughter, Kathleen and her sons David, Robin, Alan, and Billy.

Despite great losses, Eilene viewed her life as very blessed, and she had unwavering faith that she would meet her loved ones again when the time came. She described her life as being surrounded by wonderful friends and family, blessed with children and grandchildren, and full of love, laughter, and faith.