Meredythe D. Bagley, 83, of Bowman, ND, passed away at her home in Bowman on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Funeral Services for Meredythe will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at the Bowman Lutheran Church.  Pastor Galen Strand will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery.  There will be a Friends and Family Service on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 7:00 pm.  Visitation for Meredythe will be on Thursday from 12-9 at the Funeral Home Chapel.

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Meredythe D. Bagley, 83, of Bowman, ND passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, December18th. Meredythe was born on September 18th, 1941, and grew up on the family farm southwest of Watford City. As a farm girl, she spent her childhood helping with livestock, milking cows, and caring for chickens. She often rode alongside her father on the tractor or hayrack, pulled by their horses, Baldy and Blaise, with her dog, Fellow, tagging along. Throughout her life, Meredythe cherished the farm, calling it her sacred place, and she spoke of it often with great fondness.

Her parents, who were her heroes, played a significant role in shaping her life. She loved playing music, especially the piano and accordion, and would often play to bring joy to her family. She learned to cook and sew from the best, her mother, whom she greatly admired.

Meredythe attended Cherry Country School through the 8th grade, at times, trudging through the sludge or snow with her siblings to get to class. She graduated from Watford City High School in 1959. Being a farm kid, she boarded with her Aunt Dorothy, along with cousins and friends. Meredythe spoke fondly of her high school years and had quite the time with friends. Following high school, she attended Jamestown College, and two years later, obtained her teaching certificate. She moved to Bowman to begin her teaching career and thus, the Bagley saga began. Heeding many warnings from co-workers and others to avoid "that Mel Bagley guy" who works for MDU, Meredythe relented and agreed to a date, and another soon followed, probably the day after the first, knowing Mel! The two were soon married. They thoroughly enjoyed dancing and would travel to Bullock, SD or Plevna, MT to the dance halls. Staying local, you would often find the two of them at the Flagstone Terrace on most weekends.

The first two of three kids arrived on July 5th, 1964. And to their surprise, two at once! Gwen and Kevin arrived and four years later, Kirk was born, the last of the three. Meredythe possessed the canny ability to provide a happy and loving home for her family, while maintaining her career. If there were one word to describe her, it would be supportive. She had a never-ending desire to support all three of her kids in all of their endeavors; and continued that support professionally, transitioning from her role as a teacher, to school secretary. As her love for the community of Bowman grew, so did her support. Early on, she was a member of the "Fire Gals", had a strong admiration for the School of Promise, and also a great passion for the Community Cupboard. By far outweighing all, was Meredythe's undying devotion to her grandkids. Matthew, Andrew, Brett, Brad, and Peyton became the center of her life. Whether it be in Ohio or Texas, in a downpour or blizzard, Meredythe could be found on the sidelines or in the stands of every event of theirs that she could attend. And she didn't miss many! Even with her many commitments, Meredythe always made time for her own passions. If you ever needed to find her and she was not at home in her sewing room, the best bet would be to drive the 4 square mile loop around Bowman and chances are, one would find her walking. If she wasn't able to get in her 8 to 10 miles a day, her day was incomplete. Quilting was an outlet for Meredythe, as well as her form of artistic impression, and impressive it was, sharing her talents with family, friends, and community events.

Meredythe is survived in death by her daughter Gwen Kelly (Rich) of Bismarck; son Kirk Bagley (Lisa) of Rapid City, SD; daughter in law Janel Bagley of Bowman; grandchildren Matthew Bagley (Sarah) of Charlotte, NC; Andrew Bagley (Courtney) of Bowman; Brett Kelly (Ann) of Minnetonka, MN; Brad Kelly of Bismarck; Peyton Bagley of Rapid City, SD; three great grandchildren, Bria, Brody, and Dune Bagley; brother Owen (Laurie) Hamre of West Fargo and sister Leann (Larry) Hilderman of Libby, MT.

Meredythe was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Olav Hamre, husband Mel and son Kevin.

Though the last few days may seem dim in the community of Bowman, her legacy of love, support, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Heaven is surely brighter with her presence, and a wish of Meredythe's for those she left behind would be for your day and future be just a bit lighter.