Gunda “Connie” (Massine) Koble, age 76 of Balta, was accepted into the Lord’s arms after a long courageous battle with cancer, in the care of her 6 children and hospice on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at her home in Balta, North Dakota. Gunda (Mom), was taken from us too soon, but she fought a long, hard battle and never gave up.

Gunda wasnamed at birthKunigunda on September 21, 1940 to Michael andElizabeth (Gerger) Massine in their rural Pierce County home. She graduated from Balta High School the class of 1958 and completed her education at Minot State College, earning her teaching certificate. Following college,she taught in a one room school house, grades 1-8and hadthe duties of maintaining the school. On July 24, 1961, she was united in HolyMatrimonyto the love of her life,John Koble at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta. The couple purchased the Koble familyfarm, whereshe currently lived,in 1962 from John’s mother, Katherine Koble.Gunda’s open arms andwarm-heartedspirit accounted for the many friends she accumulated throughout her life, many of them coming from the 19 years she and John owned and operated John's Bar. Gunda also worked as a secretary at the Cenex Station in Balta and a post master relief for the Balta postal service.

Gunda was a woman of many talents and was known for the famous head cheese and sausage she and John enjoyed making. She enjoyed drawing, painting, crocheting playing cards with her family, suduko and taking adventures with Sylvia. Visiting with, going to lunch with, or just having fun with Lavonna and Mary was also a favorite pastime. She enjoyed being a member of the Balta School Board, Orrin and Balta Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters, and loved teaching Sunday School. Gunda had a strong faith in the Lord and enjoyed praying the rosary daily and going to daily mass. She always was willing to lend a hand to othersandalways put others before herself. Her favorite saying was, “I’m fine.” Gunda was a lovingwife,mother of 6, grandmother of 20, great-grandmother of 13. Strong-willed, “sassy”, outspoken, patient, always there to listen, a shoulder to lean on, creative, talented, had an amazing memory, no sense of direction when she was with Sylvia,and a friend to more than youcancount are just a few words which describe Gunda! She had a true heart of gold, and will forever be an angel and missed by all whowere privileged to share in her life.

Gunda is survived by her children Susan (Kelly) King of Rugby; Sandra (Rick) Thompson of Roseau, Minnesota; Gerald (Lisa) Koble of Roseau, Minnesota; Sara (Todd) Plemel of Devils Lake; Gary (Carrie) Koble of Vermillion, South Dakota; and John (Ade) Koble of Chesapeake, Virginia; 20 grandchildren: Tanya, Kelsey, Cody, Heather, Ashley, Monique, John, Diarra, Dryden, Dillion, Megan, Alisha, Matthew, Keely Dilyn, Codey, MaKenna, Parker, Elizabeth, and John-Robert; 13 great grandchildren; Teagan, Korbin, Connor, Shanessa, Brigham, Briggs, Presley, Parker, Collins, Bentley, Gracie, Beckett and Boston; brothers Mike (Diane) Massine of Minot;Lee (Kris) Massine,Lebonan, Oregon; sisters Katherine (Bob) Gaudet of Amesbury, MA; Anna Schneibel of Harvey; and MaryAnne Gertrude of Fargo; sisters-in-lawBarb Koble, Faye Roerick, Alice Axtman, and Marlys Koble; brothers-in-law, Robert (Shirley) Koble, and Ed Axtman; friends Sylvia Hager, LaVonna Gebhardt, Gary and Mary Grove, and Mike and Molly Jundt; and many other nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John,a son-in-law Vernon Haman; a brother TomMassine; sisters Rose Thompson and Florence Vetsch; brothers-in-law Leonard Schneibel; Emil Vetsch; Maurice Thompson; Conrad Koble; Joe Roerick and Gerald Koble; sisters-in-law Kaye Fettig and Christine Wold; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 20^th at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta with burial in the church cemetery.  Fr. Brian Bachmeier, Celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil prayer service at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service.