Mary (Lauritsen) McPherson

If you need inspiration, in a world full of ups and downs, on how to live a life full of abundant love, please consider Mary Christine (Lauritsen) McPherson who entered eternal life on March 22, 2017 at the age of 92.  Her spirit and motto of living life one day at a time will be carried on by her 10 children-Virginia (Jim), Jim (Lois), Doug (Leona), Jerry (Pam), Carl (Vickie), Eddie (Laurel), Donnie, Linda (Larry), Tim (Sue), and Scott, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 2 surviving siblings-Bette and Myron, extended family and friends from every walk of life.  We were blessed to learn valuable lessons and share many memories during her 92 years, and if you had the opportunity to hold her hand recently you saw those lessons and memories etched in every line and bend.  If her hands could talk, they would tell of Mary milking cows on the family farm during the depression. Writing school assignments in the 1-room schoolhouse in Wheatland.  Playing half-court basketball in high school when girls were just beginning to play school sports.  Raising eleven children in a firm and loving manner and the grief of losing her 4 year old daughter.  Driving bus in rural North Dakota and then cooking scratch-made food for hundreds of kids at Dakota High School and Northern Cass for 45 years.  Voting in every election.  Tucking her grandkids in at night and saying “love yous” while turning on the nightlight.  Baking legendary caramel rolls for every occasion.  Planting, watering, and maintaining a beautiful garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables.  Hand-written notes and cards in scratchy cursive to friends and family.  Crocheting, painting, and embroidering gifts.  Playing basketball and whiffle ball in the farmyard during family gatherings.  Volunteering at the American Legion, Good Samaritan Home, Hunter Presbyterian Church and too many other places to list.  Opening the door of kindness to every neighbor that knocked on her door.  Playing a game of cards and trying to refrain from peaking at others’ hands.  Eating pie, drinking black coffee and sharing stories with friends for hours and hours.  Pulling the slot handle for a large $2.56 penny payout.  Carrying a suitcase on many adventures with family across the United States.  Most of all her hands would share how to live life to its fullest.  How to always be thoughtful, listen intently, speak with kindness, help others, let your actions reflect your purpose, work hard, be smart, be humble, laugh often and most importantly never let a day go by without saying I love you.  In the end, Mary’s heart was too full of love to ever stop and that will be carried forever.  Mary has been reunited with her husband Gordon, her daughter Cynthia, her sister Grace, her brother Wayne, her parents Carl and Mabel, and her two grandchildren John and Rosie. 

A prayer service will be held at 6pm on Friday, March 24th with visitation from 4-6pm at Eventide Chapel in Fargo (3225 51st Street South - please use South entrance due to construction).  The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 25th at 2pm in Hunter, ND at Hunter Presbyterian Church.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mary’s memory to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Northern Cass Dollars for Scholars, or a charity meaningful to you. 

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com