Shelley Bernard

Shelley Dawn (Trout) Bernard, 71, of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Fergus Falls, MN was called to her Heavenly home after being attended to by hospice care. She passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at her home.

Shelley was born to Aaron and Margaret (Bengtson) Trout, in Minot, ND. She grew up on her family’s farm, 4 miles south of Sherwood, ND and graduated from Sherwood High School in 1971.

She met her husband of 49 years, Jon Michael (Mike) Bernard at the former Northwest Bible College in Minot, ND, where they attended for one year before Mike completed some education in Colorado Springs. They were married on September 27, 1975, at the West Minot Church of God.

Shelley worked as a loan officer at Mohall Credit Union until their move to Fergus Falls, MN in September of 1990. She did childcare for 20 years before retiring.

 Shelley enjoyed spending time with her three children, 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was deeply loved by each of them. In her earlier years, she enjoyed camping. Her dream was to travel to every national park in the USA, but that dream was cut short due to ill health even prior to cancer. She liked to collect “gadgets” of all kinds. Her children referred to her as “the gadget queen.” She was gifted with organizational skill, be it organizing family vacations, the garage or her closets and cupboards. It seemed everything had a label! She had a beautiful voice and played guitar, as well. Writing “her story”, a book she wrote that was recently published was a great accomplishment considering she had been diagnosed with dyslexia. Her book was about a lifetime of misdiagnosis and mis-prescribed medications.

Preceding her in death were her parents,

 Aaron and Margaret Trout; older brother, Paul Trout; sister-in-law, Lois Trout.

Survivors include her husband, Mike of Grand Forks; children, Cassie (Randy) Leabo of Barnesville, MN, Caleb (Kami) Bernard of Grand Forks, ND and a very special son, Dylan Bernard of Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren, Devon Leabo, Jadyn Wentzell Bernard (fiancé Zack Ziegler), Dawson Leabo, Savannah Leabo, Reese Bernard, Olivia Bernard; one great-grandson, Levin Ziegler and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind sisters, Cleo (Daniel) Mueller of Fergus Falls, MN; Beth (Douglas) Mansfield of Brainerd, MN and Lisa Shea (Jen) Trout of Sherwood, ND.

Shelley’s wisdom and wit will be greatly missed.

Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, MN with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Clergy: Chaplain Richard Toviah

Interment: A private family burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN.

Local arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation, Fergus Falls, MN.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com.