Selma J. Hedman, 101, of Scranton, ND died on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in the presence of her family at the Southwest Long Term Care Facility in Bowman, ND. A family service will be held at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel in Bowman on Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, October, 4th, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton. Pastor Mary Peterson will officiate with burial to follow.
Selma was born September 18, 1912 to Melvin and Jennie (Holte) Torpen on their homestead farm seven miles southwest of Scranton. She was baptized on November 12, 1912 at the Lutheran church at Buffalo Springs. In 1920, the family moved to the farm now owned by Larry Torpen. Selma attended grade school at Whiting School #2 also known as Maurud School. On December 5, 1926, she was confirmed at Union Prairie Lutheran Church. Selma attended 2 years of high school at Scranton Public School then married George Hedman on a very cold day on January 31, 1932 also at Union Prairie.
George and Selma moved to the farm 5 miles south of Scranton where they established their home, farmed, ranched, and raised 3 daughters, Arlene, Janice and Beverly. They spent many happy years together celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on the farm. Selma was well-known for her cooking, baking, crocheting, embroidering, and quilting. She made many wedding cakes for family and friends throughout her life. The farm and being in the great out-doors were the places she loved the most. Many hours were spent hoeing, mowing, and painting to keep her yard looking beautiful year around. Selma always made sure the coffee was on and cookies were available for anyone working on the farm or stopping by. She enjoyed all her great grandchildren to the point of playing baseball in her front yard at the young age of 80. The great-granddaughters even had the pleasure of wearing all Grandmas' nightgowns and doing the polka and waltzing throughout the house.
Selma loved surrounding herself with her family and friends wishing only that they show one another love, honesty, and respect. She was a member of both the Union Prairie and Peace Lutheran Churches, Scranton Peace ELCA, and the Golden Miners.
Selma is survived by her children: Arlene Mack of Bismarck, ND and Janice Graham of Tucson, AZ; 5 grandchildren: Dick (Mary) Mack of Scranton, ND, Cindy (Jay) Frohlich of Bismarck, ND, Desiree (Larry) Woods of Aurora, IL, Rhonda (Rod) Erickson of Mandan, ND, and Scott (Brooke) Graham of Steamboat Springs, CO; 11 great grandchildren: Dirk (Deidre) Mack, Devon and MacKenzie Mack, Chelsea (Tom) Ternes, Lindsay (Brian) Woodmansee, Brandon Barningham, Sarah (Marcus) Schewe, Natalie and Erik Woods, Jennifer Erickson, Tucker Olson; 10 great-great grandchildren: Abraham and Ebony Musonda, Tripp and Palmer Mack, Tenley Ternes, Bradley and Lucy Woodmansee, Aubrey Barningham, Colten Schewe, and Crista Woods.
Selma was preceded in death by her husband George of 54 years; her loving youngest daughter, Beverly Miller; her parents, Melvin and Jennie; her 3 brothers, John, Kenneth, and Maynard; her 3 sisters, Julia (passed away at 3 months of age), Bernice Larson, and Myrtle Andersen.