Avis Barnett, 81, Park River, ND, formerly of Minot, Crosby, Burke County and Donnybrook, died Saturday, May 23, 2009 in a Sioux Falls Hospice Center.

Avis was born May 22, 1928 on the family farm in Lakeview Township of Burke, County, North Dakota, the daughter of George and Esta (Dickinson) McGillivray. She was raised on the family farm in that area and attended rural schools in that area through the eighth grade. During her teenage years she was employed at the Sweetheart Bakery in Minot.

Avis was united in marriage to Richard Barnett on November 29, 1945 at Berthold. They lived in Detroit Michigan for two years and then in Seattle, Washington for eleven years. They farmed in the Donnybrook area and operated a café there for a brief time, before living at Crosby from 1968 until 1980, where they owned and operated the Dew-Drop drive-in restaurant. They moved to Park River in 1981. Richard died December 26, 1982.

After Richard's death, Avis operated a day care business in Crosby and Park River. After retiring, she worked with the Green Thumb program, assisted with day care, grade school and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Center in Park River. She loved to go camping, cook and bake pies. She loved to be with her grandchildren and plan gatherings for family and friends. She always opened her heart and her home to people that were less fortunate.

Avis is survived by her loving family, children, Janene (Donald) Oppegard, Park River, ND, Richard Barnett, Fargo; grandchildren, Robert, Cory, Theresa, Jennifer, Richard, Cherrie, Paul, Laura, Shawn, Darrin, Katrina, Matthew and Kelsey; many Great and Great-Great Grandchildren; Sister, Janene Nordloef, Stanley, ND; brother, Floyd McGillivray, Pahrump, NV; sisters-in-law: Evelyn McGillivray, Eugene, OR, and Happy McGillivray, Minot, ND; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Avis was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Gayle Herman, infant son, Robert, sisters, Florence St Croix, Hazel Weaver, Lila Ritter, Leone Stroklund, Marvel Lowery, Gwen Pross, Beth Larson, Elizabeth Ryan, Dorothy "Pat" Strand and Janet Charley; brothers, George, Dick, Clare, Dean and Jerry McGillivray.

Funeral service: Friday, May 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 3:00-7:00pm with a family service there at 7:30pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.