Nita L. Person

  Nita L Person (Feb 10th, 1953-Mar 6th 2024)

Nita L. Person, 71, of Devils Lake ND, passed away on Wednesday, March 6th 2024 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND after succumbing to emergency surgery. Celebration Of Life Service will be held Thursday, March 14th 2024 starting at 1PM at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND.

Nita L. Person was born February 10th 1953 at Cando Hospital in Cando ND, daughter to William and Clara (Krokan) Markwardt. She grew up in the Bisbee, ND area around her seven siblings on the family farm. Nita attended Bisbee-Egeland School and graduated in 1972. She later attended college at UND-LR ,in Devils Lake, ND graduating with her Associates Degree. Nita married Jim Hauck in 1972 and resided in rural Rugby, ND. In 1974 they welcomed a son, Cory J. Hauck. They later divorced and she married Robert C. Person in 1976. They welcomed a daughter, April M. Person in 1978. In 1982, they completed their family after adopting Matthew W. Person. From the start of their union, they lived in Glendive, MT, Devils Lake, ND, Dickinson, ND, Taylor, ND and finally established their home on a 46 acre hobby farm in rural Devils Lake in 1986. 

Nita worked for various places through the years, but worked the longest for UPS in Devils Lake for 23 years before retiring. She never fully retired and continued working for her own business of cleaning homes in Devils Lake and surrounding communities where she held more as friends than clients.

Nita had a strong love for all animals since she was a young child. She held horses closest to her heart, but also had a soft spot for dogs . Nita raised horses since she was a young girl on the farm with her first horse Missy being the start to a lifelong love of raising horses. She enjoyed competing in several rodeos with her barrel horse Zippo and raising Arabian horses on the farm w/pride and joy stud horse King. She also joined the Fort Totten Trail Riders club where she enjoyed several trail rides throughout the years with her daughter and many lifelong friends. 

Nita also bred and raised several dog breeds on the farm with the Pomeranians and Australian Shepherds being some of her favorites. Nita also fostered dogs after moving off the farm into town, but a lot of them ended up staying with mom for their forever home because she could always love the ones no one else would.

“There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible-a wound that will never quite heal.” “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.” “You were my home, Mother. I had no home but you.”

Nita L. Person was survived by her sister Jan Day, sister Carol Moore, son Cory (Carrie) Hauck, daughter April (Bill) Person, son Matthew (Monique) Person, step son Michael (Michelle) Person, grandchildren Natalie Eversvik, Kelsie (Taylor) Owens, Austin Hardy, Zack Hardy, and Elijah Person, great grandchildren Corbin, Bennett, Dixie and Oliver, and many other cousins, nephews, and nieces. 

Nital L. Person was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Tyler, siblings Duane Markwardt, Gene Markwardt, Gary Markwardt, Lynn Rea and Ruth Swanson and other dear relatives.