Agnes M. Streifel, 92, of Esmond, ND passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024 at SMP St. Aloisius Long Term Care in Harvey, ND.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond with Fr. Steven Wirth celebrating.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM followed by Rosary and Vigil Service Friday, November 29, 2024 at the church.  Burial will take place at the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Boniface Catholic Church: 108 Alta Avenue North Esmond, ND 58332.

Agnes was born on the family farm to Steve and Lena (Piatz) Neis on May 3, 1932.  She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Arthur "Art" Streifel on June 8, 1948, in Esmond.  Shortly after, they moved to Fargo, ND where Agnes worked at Woolworth's Café as a cook.  In 1952, they returned to Esmond to run a grain and cattle operation on the family farm.  Agnes was an active worker on the farm, including working in the fields and feeding the many animals.  She tended a large garden with much canning and food preparation.  Agnes was known far and wide for her excellent cooking.  She also enjoyed quilting, crocheting and sewing, all while keeping a very clean house.  She would often remind her children that she could find something for them to do if she found them "just sitting around" because there was always cleaning and work to be done.  The only thing that could pull her away from cooking, cleaning and working was "I Love Lucy" on television.

In the 1970s, Agnes also drove her own vehicle to transport "Head Start" children to and from school.  She worked for Home Health, caring for residents in the Maddock, Harlow, Fillmore and Esmond areas.   In 1987, Agnes began working as a cook for various managers of the Esmond Café: Hank Streifel, Tom Hill and Dave Dickey.  In 2005 she started cooking for her daughter-in-law, Diane, until retiring in 2020 at the age of 88.

Music was a very important part of her life, beginning with her father leading by example as he played the organ for the Latin masses at Church.  Agnes and her sisters were regular performers on the "Saturday Morning with the Neis Sisters" radio show.  Agnes also played the piano and accordion with her father and siblings.  She played piano even into her later years, including a song or two at the Nursing Home.  She encouraged and shared a love of music with her children and grandchildren.

Family was most important to Agnes and was a very loyal mother and grandmother.  Everyone in the family knew Grandma had your back!  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was a member of the St. Boniface Ladies Aid and St. Boniface Christian Mothers where she served many years as the Treasurer.

Agnes is survived by her children, Linda (Robert) Black, Beverly (Michael) Jesser, Kenneth (Diane) Streifel, Marlys (Blaine) Fix, and Janice (Todd) Toso; 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren; siblings Helen, John and Rose; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur "Art" Streifel; parents, Steve and Lena Neis; granddaughter Melissa, great grandson, Gavin, and sister, Delores.