Jennifer Held

Jennifer Evelyn Held, 48, New Salem, died on November 8th, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jennifer was born on June 14, 1977, in Bismarck, North Dakota to Donald and Marna (Ott) Held. She attended school in New Salem and graduated from high school in 1995 with honors, including the John Philip Sousa award in band.

After high school Jennifer attended Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

After college Jennifer was hired at Sears as a Sales Associate while she also did substitute teaching around the area. By the time Jennifer left Sears she had worked her way up to becoming the Human Resources Manager. During her time at Sears Jennifer also worked part-time at Red Carpet in Bismarck. In 2016 Jennifer took a job as a secretary at Spiffy Biffs and worked there until the time of her death.

Jennifer was a woman of many talents and interests. She loved cooking and baking and was always trying out new recipes that she would tweak because something could be added or changed to make the cookies, muffins, casseroles, etc., taste a little better. Every summer when the family gathered, Jennifer made sure the menu always included family favorites and she spent hours in the kitchen preparing meals. Jennifer even created a cookbook with all the old family recipes and some of the new favorites we had come to enjoy.

Jennifer was also a crafty person, and she was often seen crocheting, embroidering and doing cross stitch. Jennifer crocheted afghans for her nephews and niece and was happy to keep crocheting special items as the family grew. Jennifer also crocheted towels and other items that she sold at craft fairs with her friend Donna. They had great plans to take trips with the money they made at their craft fairs, and Jennifer and Donna actually made a trip to Vegas before Jennifer was too sick to travel.

Music was something Jennifer enjoyed throughout her life. She started playing piano in elementary school. In high school Jennifer played coronet in the band and also sang in the choir. Even after high school Jennifer continued to sing in the New Salem Community Cantata, the Centennial Singers, the church choir at Salem UCC, and the Messiah Concert presented in Bismarck each year. Jennifer also enjoyed singing in church with her cousin Donna Marie (and sometimes even with her dad or sisters).

Jennifer was an active church member and a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ. At Salem UCC Jennifer was often a church representative at Conference meetings for the UCC, and she got to know many UCC folks throughout the state.

At age 15 Jennifer was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After a year of treatments, the cancer was officially in remission. This experience caused Jennifer to become involved in the Relay for Life, and she was a Team Captain for many years. It was heartwarming and encouraging to see Jennifer take the survivor’s lap each year.

Jennifer is survived by her parents, Donald and Marna Held; siblings Margaret (Mark) Johnston, Carolyn (Darcy) Held, Deborah Held, and David (Jen) Held. She is also survived by her nephews Joshua (special friend Macayla) Tatum and Jacob (Lexie) Tatum, niece Kylie Held, great nieces Oakleigh and Evelyn, and great nephew Malakai. Jennifer also leaves behind many cousins, aunts and uncles, and some great friends. Jennifer was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Evelyn Held and Rev. Harold and Beatrice Ott.

Funeral services for Jennifer will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 1:00 PM at New Salem United Church of Christ in New Salem, ND. Visitation will take place one hour prior to service at the church. Private family burial will take place at Bethel Cemetery.