Ethel Selyna Hovland Harris
Ethel Selyna Hovland Harris, 86, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.Ethel Selyna Hovland was born on June 27, 1926 in Lankin, ND, the daughter of Sivert and Emma (Askim) Hovland. Selyna grew up in Park River, ND, attended elementary school and Walsh Co. Agricultural High School, graduating in 1943. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and graduated in 1947. While there, she met her future husband, Bennett Harris, who was also a choir member. Selyna married Bennett on June 20, 1948 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Park River. The couple moved to San Francisco, CA, where Selyna pursued a career in music. Bennett passed away on August 31, 1985.
- Ethel Selyna Hovland Harris
Ethel Selyna Hovland Harris
Ethel Selyna Hovland Harris, 86, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.
Ethel Selyna Hovland was born on June 27, 1926 in Lankin, ND, the daughter of Sivert and Emma (Askim) Hovland. Selyna grew up in Park River, ND, attended elementary school and Walsh Co. Agricultural High School, graduating in 1943. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and graduated in 1947. While there, she met her future husband, Bennett Harris, who was also a choir member. Selyna married Bennett on June 20, 1948 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Park River. The couple moved to San Francisco, CA, where Selyna pursued a career in music. Bennett passed away on August 31, 1985.
Selyna had a long and fruitful musical life beginning with her early training at Concordia College under Thelma Halvorson and choir director, Dr. Paul J. Christiansen. She then moved to San Francisco where she studied under Phalen Tassie, Who was a long time student of Estelle Liebling of New York. She received her Master of Arts with a major in voice from San Francisco State University. She continued her study with Madam Lili Wexberg of Vienna and New York and coached extensively with Otto Guth, former Musical Supervisor of the San Francisco Opera. She sang in numerous concerts throughout the Bay Area and was a private voice teacher for many years. Selyna’s students ranged from beginners to seasoned professionals and voice teachers. She was also a member of the National Associations of Teachers of Singing, and was the Northern California Governor of the CA/Western Region from 1986-1988. In December of 1991 she gave a master class at the Fort Wright Music Center in Spokane, WA.
She is survived by six nieces and nephews, Susan (Fred) Thomasson, West Fargo, ND, Patty (Randy) Boushek, Elk River, MN, Candy (Curtis) Simon, Park River, ND, Carolyn (Todd) Berning, West Fargo, Gregory (Donna) Erovick, Park River, and Tom (Lorna) Erovick, Cavalier, ND.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister and brother-in-law, Ardith and Art Erovick, and nephew, Tim Erovick.
Visitation: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10-11 a.m., West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND
Memorial Service: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 11 a.m., West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND
Burial: Skyline Cemetery, Colma, CA
Online: westfuneralhome.com
Tags: obituaries
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