Elaine Lucille Semingson

Funeral service for Elaine Semingson, 85, of South Heart, ND, will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND, with Pastor Scott Skones officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.

Elaine passed away Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND.

Elaine was born on January 19, 1941, to Robert and Gertrude (Miller) Marty, and was the oldest of ten children. She attended school in Killdeer, North Dakota. Encouraged by her grandmother, Bea, Elaine went on to attend beautician school in Bismarck, where she earned her certificate and license, beginning a career she was proud of.

Elaine married Alvin Kohanes on May 23, 1958, and together they made their home in Grassy Butte, North Dakota. There they raised their three children, Julie, Kelly, and Justin. For many years, mom hauled mail on Beicegel Road. She kept a large garden and raised chickens (a lot of chickens). Mom was talented with a needle and thread, making numerous quilts and sewing clothes for her children. Later in life, she was often called upon to mend and patch clothing for her son-in-law and grandsons. Mom also loved cooking and always made sure there was a warm meal waiting for anyone who came to visit.

Mom was a member of the Redemer Lutheran Church and the Ranch Creek Homemakers. She was also actively involved in 4-H, generously helping with activities while her children participated.

After her husband Alvin passed away, she moved to Beach, ND to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Mom worked in various cafes and other businesses.

Elaine met the love of her life, Dick Semingson, and the two were married December 12, 1990. After Dick retired from HB&R they spent time living in several different states while deciding where they wanted to make their permanent home. No matter where life took them, they always found themselves returning to North Dakota. They eventually purchased a home in South Heart and knew they were home, especially with some of Elaine's family nearby. Wherever they lived mom would always have flowers. She planted trees, small gardens, and always had bird feeders. Mom enjoyed watching the birds and listening to them sing. Each spring, she would worry when the robins had not yet returned, but they always did.

If you knew mom you knew how much she loved her dogs, she was always so protective and was always concerned that all animals be treated well. We often teased her she may be treating her dogs too well; they usually were a little (or a lot) overweight.

Mom spent a short time at the Golden Valley Manor in Beach, ND and met a bunch of nice people that she really needed.

Mom's greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved staying connected with her family, and we will deeply miss the four or more phone calls each day just to see what we were doing.

Mom survived by her children Julie (Tyler) Cook, Forsyth, MT, Kelly Kohanes, Forsyth, MT, and Justin (Kiffin) Kohanes, Beach, ND; eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; siblings, James Marty, AZ, Lynn (Diana) Marty, Hardin, MT, Harold (Beverly) Marty, Clarksville, TN, Charlene (Richard) Schoenbeck, Belfield, ND, Erwin Marty, Dickinson, ND, Peggy (Randy) Hlebchuk, Rhame, ND.

Mom is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her husband Dick Semingson; siblings, Donna Kono, Leslie Marty and Curtis Marty.

We would like to thank Kevin Brown for making the urn for mom, Pastor Scott Skones, and all the nursing staff and doctors at Sanford Emergency Room, and Essentia ICU in Fargo, ND.

COPD is a devastating disease that greatly impacted Elaine's final years. Much of her daily life became centered around making sure she had her oxygen and medications, as breathing was often a struggle without them. In sharing this, our family hopes others will take its seriousness to heart; put the cigarettes out, or better yet, never start.