Benora Cruff, age 87, of Valley City, ND, died Thursday, September 6th at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 15th at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Valley City.  Visitation will be held on Friday, September 14th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday morning.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 Friday evening at the funeral home.  Interment will be in St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery.

Benora (Bea) Schmidt was born April 4th, 1931, to Fred and Margret Schmidt in Page, North Dakota. Benora attended school at St. Catherine's elementary and high school. After high, Benora enrolled in the Catholic Nursing Program at Mercy Hospital, in Valley City. Graduating as a registered nurse, Benora continued to work at Mercy Hospital for several years. In October of 1955, Benora married Kenneth Cruff of Rogers, and the two farmed, with Benora working night shifts at the hospital. In July of 1956, son Timothy was born, and in December of 1957, son Michael was born. Benora eventually stopped working, but was active in local politics, and worked as a tax assure for Roger's Township. She enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, playing pinochle (for hours straight), and receiving red roses from Ken.

Benora is survived by her older brother Ted Schmidt, son Timothy Cruff, daughter-in-law Carol (Norman) Cruff, granddaughter Laura Cruff, son Michael Cruff, daughter-in-law Joni (Zimmerman) Cruff, granddaughter Kendra Cruff, in-laws; Bill & Kathy Cruff, Gary & Sandy Cruff, Bonnie Burchill, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Benora was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Erv, Jerry, Elenore, and Mildred. In April 2012, Benora lost Ken to cancer.