Peggy Bearce, 75, of Williston, ND passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at her residence in Williston, ND.

Peggy Joan (Halseth) Bearce was born May 7th, 1950, to Elmer and Ethel (Skoglund) Halseth in Williston, ND. She joined her three older brothers and her sister at the family farm north of Epping, ND. She attended elementary school at Stewart school, which was a one room schoolhouse where she had the same teacher for eight years. She attended Epping High School and graduated with the class of 1968. She was a very proud Epping Eagle and loved planning the reunions during Buffalo Trails Day. After high school she went to Wahpeton and obtained her secretarial degree.

While in high school, during basketball season, she met a good-looking guy from Buford, ND, who would eventually become her husband. Peggy Halseth and Theodore Bearce were united in marriage on August 11th, 1973, at Epping Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born Rebecca (Becky) born in 1976, Pamela (Pam) born in 1979 and their son Derek born in 1985.

Peggy’s careers included working at MDU, doing daycare, baking and decorating thousands of cakes and the best caramel rolls for the community, and finally retiring from Lutheran Social Services after 23 years.

Peggy loved her community and played an integral role in shaping many of the buildings and events that became cherished parts of Williston. She helped start Operation Christmas Child shoes boxes, The Out of the Darkness Walk, the church “Klub” dinners, The Legacy Building, and The Haven House to name a few over the years.

Faith, family, and friends were most important in Peggy’s life. She cared and loved so deeply for everyone, nobody was a stranger. She loved being a Mom and was blessed to become a Grandma and Great Grandma. Her favorite things were her dogs, walking, writing music, books, and poems. She also loved to paint, draw, plant flowers, listen to music, host holidays and birthdays, cook, bake, and was known for plotting pranks and embarrassing family and friends.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 53 years Theodore Bearce, her daughters Rebecca (Brian) Clouse and their children Kallen (Caylin), Kamren, Kyren, and Kara Clouse. Pamela (Nathan) Bearce and her children Makaya (Brindon) Parker and Matthew Allard. Her son Derek (Erin) Bearce and their son Theo Bearce and great-grandson Griffin Parker. Her brother Donald (Darlene) Halseth, sisters Betty Halseth and Judy Halseth. Sisters-in-law Louise Halseth, Bonnie (Richard) Fredericksen, Nancy (Kelly) Gysler, Debbie Bearce, Mary (Shane) Moran, and brother-in-law Mark (Tammy) Bearce. Many nieces, nephews, and all those that called her “Mother Bearce”. She will be missed beyond measure, but we know she is in the arms of Jesus.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Ethel Halseth, In-laws Bud and Betty Bearce, brothers Ernest Halseth and Robert Halseth, brother-in-law Danny Bearce, sisters-in-law Joyce Halseth and Laurie Bearce and her nephew Beau Moran.

Memorial Contribution