Bernice Winifred Ihlenfeld

After a long and productive life, Bernice (Bea) Winifred Ihlenfeld passed away on October 26, 2017 at her residence. She was born November 18, 1912 to the late Reverend Clarence and Kate Hightower in Lancaster, Illinois. Bea grew up in Mt. Morris, Illinois where she developed her lifelong love of sports, especially tennis and swimming. During her years at Carthage College she won two Illinois intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's singles tennis championships and also met her husband, The Reverend Fred W. Ihlenfeld. They moved to Fargo in 1939. After her husband's death, Mrs. Ihlenfeld began her career as a Physical Education teacher at Fargo Central High School in 1949. She earned her master’s degree from North Dakota State University and became the first female guidance counselor in the city school system. At the time of her retirement in 1974 she was an assistant principal at Fargo North High School. A very devoted supporter of the YMCA, Bea was awarded the Charles Bailey Volunteer of the Year and Senior of the Year. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Carthage College Athletic Hall of Fame and in the first group to be inducted into the Fargo North High School Hall of Fame. Bea remained active playing tennis, golf and swimming for many years. She loved to hunt, fish and watch all sports, especially Bison football. In addition to her husband, a daughter, Katherine Kimball, also preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter, Bernice (Bea) Ellis, of Johnson City, Tennessee; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her "Y" family and the many wonderful care givers at Touchmark where she resided for over seven years. Her family is especially appreciative of the care given Bea by the staff of Devonshire, Pembrooke and Hospice of the Red River Valley. The family of Bea Ihlenfeld received friends on Friday, November 10, at Saint John Lutheran Church from 1 until 3 p.m. immediately followed by a service in celebration of her life. The Rev. Dr. Erick Thompson officiated. A gathering for the staff and friends at Touchmark to honor Bea's memory took place Thursday, November 9, at 2 p.m. in the foyer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties Endowment Fund, Inc., 400 1st Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103 or the YWCA Cass Clay Endowment Agency, 3100 12th Avenue North, Fargo, North Dakota, 58102.