Nwinelkpege Taoh

Nwinelkpege Taoh, beloved mother, wife, sister, community matriarch, and woman of unwavering faith, passed over into glory on December 3, 2025, at the age of 59.

Born on March 20, 1966, in Nigeria, Nwinelkpege was of the Ogoni tribe. Her name, Nwinelkpege, meaning “a child is better than money,” beautifully reflected the values by which she lived—placing people, family, and love above all else.

Nwinelkpege lived a life marked by resilience, sacrifice, and deep compassion. She was married to her devoted husband, Nwinnen Taoh, who preceded her in death in 2015 following a cardiac arrest. Together, they endured persecution during a turbulent period in Nigeria, when military forces sought members of MOSOP. In the midst of danger, Nwinelkpege showed remarkable courage—once narrowly escaping military agents by fleeing undetected with her firstborn, Kpenabari.

She bore the weight of motherhood through both joy and unimaginable loss. She was the mother of four children: Kpenabari, Dumkilsi, MonBari, and a second son who never made it out of the hospital. In 2008, she suffered another devastating loss with the passing of her daughter MonBari. Despite these heartbreaks, she remained steadfast, drawing strength from her faith and love for her family.

After surviving political violence, including an incident in which her husband was shot and miraculously lived, Nwinelkpege and her family sought refuge in Benin before eventually immigrating to the United States in December 1997. Settling in the Fargo–Moorhead community, they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, service, and integrity.

Together with her husband, in 2003, Nwinelkpege became a pioneer in the community by opening the first African store in the Fargo–Moorhead area, creating not only a business but a gathering place—a space of encouragement, cultural pride, and shared humanity. Through her store, she mentored and uplifted countless women, offering wisdom shaped not by formal education but by lived experience, discernment, and compassion.

Nwinelkpege worked tirelessly throughout her life—from selling food in villages, to washing dishes at Olive Garden, to becoming a business owner. She understood sacrifice intimately and believed deeply in dignity through honest labor.

In her later years, Nwinelkpege found deep joy and comfort in her conversations with her daughter, Dumkilsi. Their talks—often simple, heartfelt, and filled with laughter—were a source of happiness and light for her. Through these moments of connection, she experienced companionship, understanding, and a love that brought her peace and renewed strength.

Her faith was central to who she was. She loved the Word of God and committed herself to spiritual growth, even as her health declined. On the morning of her final conscience state, she reached for her Bible, carefully sounding out the words—choosing persistence in faith over convenience. Though illness eventually limited her involvement in church, her heart remained with the widows she once worshiped alongside. She often expressed sorrow not over what she lacked, but over her inability to give to others, once asking, “How much can you give to the widowed women? I can’t go there empty-handed.”

Nwinelkpege faced many health challenges throughout her life, yet she never allowed them to define her. Through them, her faith remained evident, and her journey serves as a gentle reminder for all of us to be good stewards of the bodies God has given us. Through every trial, she carried herself with quiet strength, humility, and grace.
Her life leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, generosity, faith, and love for people. She poured herself into her family, her church, her community, and strangers alike. We believe she has completed her work on this earth and now rests in eternal peace.

As Scripture reminds us:
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:1

Nwinelkpege Taoh will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever honored.