Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271475
Title: Mary E. Gietzen
Date: 5/11/1925-3/8/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 5/11/1925
Summary: Mary Gietzen, 99, of Glen Ullin, ND, passed away March 8, 2025, at Marion Manor Health Center in Glen Ullin. A funeral Mass was held March 18, 2025, at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Haymarsh, rural Glen Ullin, with Father Gary Benz celebrating. Burial was in St. Clement’s cemetery. Mary Eloise Heaton was born May 11, 1925, in Bismarck, ND, the daughter of L.E. Jr. (Jake) and Ethel (McKee) Heaton. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Bismarck and later received her bachelor’s degree at St. Benedict’s College in St. Joseph, MN. After graduation, Mary moved to Glen Ullin to teach at the local school. On December 30, 1947, Mary married William Gietzen. Their marriage was blessed with 15 children. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker whose life was a testament of love, and unwavering dedication to her family. She embraced the joys and challenges of raising a large family with patience, perseverance, and a heart full of grace. Her strength was rooted in her faith, guiding her through every season of life. Mary enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, and homemaking. Mary was an avid reader, and proud of her world travels. She was involved in Homefront Women, the Glen Ullin and State School Board, and Youth Ministry. Together with her husband, William, she spent much time advocating Right to Life. With many of her loved ones serving in the military, Mary took immense pride in their dedication to protecting and honoring this nation. After losing her son Gene in 1969 in the Vietnam War, she became a Gold Star Mother. Mary’s husband was also a World War II veteran who served overseas in Japan. Seven of her own sons, along with many of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have or are currently serving our country. Mary is survived by her sons, Russell, Glenn (Linda), Gregory (Lan), Aaron, Hilary (Sara), Peter (Cindy), Frederick; daughters, Margaret Gietzen, Anna (Jay) Brown, Virginia (John) Saiki, Catherine (Charlie) Holle; daughter-in-law, Rita Gietzen; 63 grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Geneva Kurtz, Virginia Benz. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (2007); parents, L.E. and Ethel Heaton; children, Gene, James, Mary Kay, and Mark; daughter-in-law, Anh Gietzen.
Red ID: FND_I_78970 Image ID: 522319 Image Notes: FND001 271475

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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