Arva Dell Benz, 83, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 surrounded by family, following a stroke.

Born January 17th, 1943 in Harvey, ND to Leonard and Freda (Hoffer) Keszler, The family farmed briefly on the Keszler farmstead near McCluskey. They moved to Anamoose in 1946 where Leonard began his life-long career with the Soo Line Railroad. The family then moved to Harvey in 1951. Arva Dell attended Harvey High School and graduated in 1961. After High School, she attended the University of North Dakota and afterward, moved to the Los Angeles, CA area for a few years. She later worked for over 30 years at Medcenter One, which became Sanford Health, in Bismarck as a Lab Technician and Supervisor in the Histology Department.

Arva Dell married Bruce Benz on December 27, 1966 at First Baptist Church in Bismarck, beginning a wonderful marriage that would span 59 years. Together they built a life centered deeply around family, faith, friendship, and service to others. They raised 2 sons, Dan and Tom, and Arva Dell took tremendous pride in being a wife, mother, grandmother, church choir member, church organist and pianist.

Music was absolutely one of the great threads running through Arva Dell’s life.

For decades, she was an integral part of the music ministry at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck. A gifted soprano, Arva Dell sang in the church choir and served as a soloist for many years. Her Christmas Eve solos of “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” were very memorable! She also shared her musical gifts from the bench of McCabe's beautiful pipe organ, helping provide the soundtrack to countless Sunday mornings, holidays, celebrations, and sacred moments. She also served as a Sunday School Teacher and as a volunteer in an After School program for kids, providing meals and educational assistance.

Remarkably, Arva Dell continued serving as an organist at McCabe until just recently before the stroke that would sadly bring her remarkable and lifelong musical ministry to a close. There was always music happening in the house! She would play and sing gospel music, hymns, and her pipe organ material for Church.

Those who knew Arva Dell will remember much more than her musical talent. She was kind, caring, generous, faithful, funny, nurturing, and one could say sometimes “outspoken!” She had a special way of making those around her feel loved and comfortable. Arva Dell gave generously of herself to all the people she loved.

Her faith was one of the most important parts of her life, expressed not only through worship and music, but through the way she poured her heart and soul into all things. Christmas and Easter were extra special to her, including the worship services, decorations, gifts, and the amazing traditional meals!

Above all else, Arva Dell loved her family with all of her heart. Her home always felt like “home” to us. She was especially thrilled when she officially became a Grandma in 2008 when Tyler was born. He was everything to her and they both loved when she would come to Seattle to visit.

Arva Dell is survived by her husband, Bruce Benz (Bismarck); her children, Daniel (Arliss) Benz, Lake Tapps, WA, and Tom (Lisa) Benz (Bismarck); grandchild, Tyler Benz, Lake Tapps, WA; Sister Bonnie (Dennis) Schlittenhardt (Bismarck). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many loving cousins, and the most caring and helpful neighbors!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Freda.

A celebration of Arva Dell’s life will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25th at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6th St, in Bismarck, North Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Music Programs at McCabe, reflecting Arva's Dell’s lifelong passion for music, faith, and community.

For decades, Arva Dell helped fill sanctuaries with her beautiful music. Her family and friends will now carry that music, and all the love behind it, with them forever.