Zanne Bartlett Ness passed away peacefully at her home in Bismarck, North Dakota, on April 19, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born on September 4, 1941, in Canadian, Texas, to William and Fermanetta (Sawyer) Bartlett.

Zanne grew up in Canadian and completed her final two years of high school at The Hockaday School in Dallas. She briefly attended Southern Methodist University before marrying John Chambers in 1960. Together they raised three children—Rebecca, Sarah, and John—in Canadian before moving to Amarillo in 1975.

In Amarillo, Zanne resumed her education with determination and passion, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from West Texas A&M University. She later completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of South Dakota. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, she moved to Bismarck, where she worked as a clinical psychologist at St. Alexius Medical Center. In 2008, she co-founded Chambers and Blohm Psychology Services, a practice that continues to serve the community today.

Zanne’s life was deeply rooted in faith, nurtured from childhood through the influence of her paternal grandmother. In 2007, she was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church. Following her retirement in 2008, she furthered her ministry, becoming ordained as a priest in 2011. She served on staff as Canon Missioner under Bishop Michael Smith, dedicating her ministry to social justice causes, particularly focusing on the homeless, the hungry, and the imprisoned. In later years, she devoted herself fully to prison ministry, establishing an oblate formation program in the prison, sponsored by Annunciation Monastery. One of the sisters at Annunciation is continuing this important work.

Known for her vibrant spirit and love of life, Zanne embraced many interests, including reading, cooking, teaching aerobic dancing, and flying airplanes. Her most favorite, however, was playing duplicate bridge with her beloved husband, Terrance “Terry” Ness. Together, they formed a remarkable partnership, winning numerous tournaments across North America.

Zanne is survived by her husband, Terry; her children and their spouses: Rebecca and Mike Hughes, Sarah and Jim Sumner, and John and Cindy Chambers; her siblings: Tom and Sue Bartlett, Jane and Fred Brenner, Terrill and Rhonda Bartlett, and Laura and Bill Brakefield; her grandchildren: Kelly Hughes, Tim Hughes, Amy Chambers (and Jeravan Lee), and Alicia Chambers; and her great-granddaughter, Elena Lee. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and especially her close-knit “girl cousins,” with whom she shared a lifelong bond.

A funeral service will be held at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 601 N 4th St, Bismarck on Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a common meal and time of remembrance. Her ashes will be placed in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a nonprofit organization of your choice.

Zanne will be remembered for her wisdom, faith, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.