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C. Kamstra, born January 20th, 1940, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Bedford and Eunice (Wilson) Cornwell, passed away peacefully at home May 21, 2017, surrounded by family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She attended school in Oil City, LA. On June 8th, 1954, she married Lyle R. Kamstra who was stationed at Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, LA. They were also stationed at AFBs in Missouri and Alaska, later making their home in Dickinson, ND, where she owned and operated Fran’s Pizza Parlor until 1969. She then moved to Louisiana where she was employed at Western Electric until 1986. She moved to North Dakota where she obtained her GED in 1986, then enrolled in VCSU and proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree at the age of 53. After graduation, she earned her certification as an Archaeology Field Tech, for the University of North Dakota, and worked for UND from 1992-2004 before retiring.
She enjoyed going on archaeology digs, scuba diving, fishing, golfing, metal detecting, and diesel and automotive mechanics. Spending time with her family was very important. She enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to hit apples with golf clubs, swim, fish, and how to fix their cars. She instilled good values and beliefs in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that will influence them for many generations to come. The one thing her entire family can agree upon is that Frances C. Kamstra could fix anything.
She is survived by her 6 children, Dwyle A. Kamstra (Pam), Truman L. Kamstra, Martin L. Kamstra, Cynthia K. Rohde (Scot), and Troy L. Kamstra (Robin), all of Valley City, ND, and Tonya L. Mergele, of Anna, TX; brothers, Forest Cornwell, Shreveport, LA, Butch Cornwell, Stephens, AR, and sister, Cissy Pitner, Austin, TX; 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, and son-in-law Paul E. Mergele.
The memorial service for Frances will be 7 pm Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, with a reception to follow at the Sheyenne Care Center.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook for Frances is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com.