Delema Agnes Bercier died August 21st at the Sheyenne Care Center, Valley City, ND, following a lengthy illness. She was 76.

Delema was born September 29, 1937 in Belcourt, ND where she also graduated from High School. She was the daughter of the late William and Beatrice (Jerome) Azure. Upon graduation, Delema was employed by the Turtle Mountain Jewel Plant, in Rolla, ND, where she made precision jewels for the Bulova Watch Company.

She married Joseph Louis Bercier of St. John, ND on August 30, 1958. They lived in Williston, ND for a time before moving to Jamestown, ND in the early 1960s following the birth of their first child, Marvin, who attended the Anne Carlsen Crippled Children’s Hospital School (now the Anne Carlsen Center). Joe and Dee raised eight children together in Jamestown before Joe’s untimely death in early 1985. Marvin preceded his mother in death in May.

Besides her parents, husband, and son, Dee is also preceded in death by four brothers: Andrew, Maynard, Roger, and John; six sisters: Veronica Azure, Louise Dauphinais, Delphine Lenoir, Ruth Azure, Rose Ann DeLong, and Viola DeLong (Rose Ann’s twin); and one grandson, Casey Jones.

Dee had been a housekeeper, mainly for the elderly, for many years.

She enjoyed playing the guitar, winning at board games (Bingo, Scrabble, & Yahtzee), and undertaking various craft projects, like knitting, latch hook, and beadwork. She was popular for her giant homemade caramel rolls and “bull dogs” (fried bread dough). Dee also enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and a tea cup Chihuahua, she called Tea.

Delema is survived by seven children: Gaylene (Steven) Goodroad, Indianapolis, IN; Marlin Bercier, Gonvick, Minnesota; Arlene Bercier, Montrose, CO; Dale (Amanda) Bercier, Deanna (Bryan) Jacobson, Melissa Jacobson, and Bryan Bercier, all Jamestown. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nephews, nieces, and cousins; and one sister, Mildred Allery, Belcourt, ND.

Visitation will be in Jamestown on Sunday, August 24 at the Lisko-Williams Funeral home from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The prayer service will be Monday, August 25th at 7p.m. at the Fiddler’s Hall in Belcourt, N.D. The Funeral Mass for Delema will be Tuesday, August 26th at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Belcourt, with interment in the church cemetery. The reception will follow the graveside service at the Fiddler’s Hall.