Barbara Jeane Schell

Barbara (Broneske) Schell, 75, of Apache Junction, AZ, formerly of Bismarck, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Burial will take place at 2:00 PM Wednesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the church.

On September 26, 1949, in Riverdale, ND, Erma and Elmer Broneske welcomed their first child Barbara into the world. She was the fourth Broneske cousin born that year and they were referred to as the “49ers”. She was raised north of Turtle Lake, ND and attended a country school until the first grade. Her father went into road construction where they moved around until settling in Commerce City, CO. Barbara graduated from Adam City High School in 1967. Barb attended Bottineau and Bismarck State College where she received an Associate Degree in Business Communications.

During the summer months she would stay with her grandparents Louie & Hazel Rasmussen in Turtle Lake where she met the love of her life. Barb married the love of her life, Calvin Schell, on September 20, 1969. Calvin’s job took him to numerous cities before they settled in Bismarck, ND. She was a stay-at-home mother to three daughters. She then went to work for the North Dakota Game & Fish where she was a secretary for the Enforcement Division. After 20 years, Barb retired and she and Cal took many trips during their retirement. After being snowbirds for a few years, they made their residence in Apache Junction.

Barb fought Parkinson’s Disease for 15 years and Calvin rarely left her side. He was the most devoted caretaker to her. Per her wishes, her body was donated for Parkinson’s Reasearch hoping that someday soon there will be a cure.

She will be deeply missed for her great hugs, her contagious smile, and her love for family...especially her grandchildren.

Barb is survived by her husband of 55 years, Calvin; daughters, Chrissy Nelson (Pat Bieber), Melissa Stroklund, & Rebecca Schell, all of Bismarck; grandchildren, Jessica (Michael) Hogue of Grand Forks, Kevin Bontrager II of Fenton, MI, Isaac Schell of Rochester, MN, & Kayden Stroklund of Bismarck, and one sister, Sharon Sparks of Federal Heights, CO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law (Albert and Regina Schell), granddaughter (Alysha Vetter), several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, & sisters-in-law.

May God bless the memory of Barbara Jeane (Broneske) Schell.