Myrna Ardell Mettler

Myrna Ardell Mettler, 86, of Fargo, ND, died March 22, 2024, at the Hillsboro Care Center, Hillsboro, ND.

Myrna was born June 26, 1937, in Webster, SD to Oscar and Palma (Cornelius) Gilbertson. The family lived in Roslyn, SD, Great Bend, SD, Hickson, ND, Britton, SD, and Fargo, ND. Myrna graduated in 1955 from Oak Grove High school in Fargo, ND. She completed nurse’s training at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, MN in 1958.

On January 10, 1960, she married Robert Mettler in Fargo, ND. They were blessed with two children, Anne and Mark. After starting their family, they returned to Britton, SD for a short time before making their home in Grandin, ND. They most recently lived in Fargo, ND, moving there in 2021.

Myrna’s first “job” was helping her father with bookkeeping for the Hickson elevator. After nurse’s training she worked at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, MN, beginning in 1958 until starting her family in 1960. In 1969, she began working at the Hillsboro Medical Center as a registered nurse, charge nurse, and Director of Nursing. In 1977, she worked at the St. Luke’s Pediatric clinic as a nursing supervisor and returned to Hillsboro in 1978 and began working in the Hillsboro Nursing Home until her retirement from nursing in 2006. She genuinely cared for the residents of the nursing home and returned shortly after retiring to work as an activity’s assistant. She was proud to achieve American Nurse’s Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification, demonstrating her passion for excellence in nursing. She was a member of the North Dakota Nurses Association and American Nurses Association.

Beyond her work, Myrna found solace and joy in her faith and community. An active member of the Grandin Presbyterian Church, she embraced her role as a member of the United Presbyterian Women (UPW), Dorcas circle, and quilter’s group, enriching the lives of those around her with her warmth and kindness. Her green thumb and love for gardening transformed her home and yard into a tapestry of colors and scents. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway with Robert and several Grandin community members. Throughout her life, Myrna always had dogs or cats (or both). In her younger years, she also hunted ducks and geese with her father.

Myrna is survived by a daughter, Anne (Dave) Heller, Fargo, ND and son Mark (Tetyana) Mettler, Chanhassen, MN; three grandchildren, Jennifer Mettler, Irvine, CA, Matthew (Dana) Heid, Mandan, ND, David Heid, his fiancée Michelle Sarsland and daughter, Brooklyn, Mandan, ND; one great-grandson Matthew Robert Heid, Jr., Mandan, ND, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; son-in-law, Dave Heller; sister, Donna Backlund; sisters in law, Barbara Mettler, Marion Mettler, Leatrice Aman, Bernice Planteen, and Cleva Wallace; and brothers in law, Peter Backlund and Allen Mettler.