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Mary Louise Leith • 1943 - 2003 Mary Louise Leith, 60, Minot, passed away in the comfort of her home from natural causes on Friday, September 26, 2003. Mary was born on July 7, 1943, in Omaha, NE, to Adrian and Rose (Werner) Anderson. She was raised on the family farm near Doyon, ND, and graduated from Lakota High School in 1961. Mary was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dennis C. Leith, on June 20, 1962, in Crary, ND. They have resided in Minot since their marriage and raised four children together. In 1983, they were honored as the Knights of Columbus Council 4894 Family of the Year. Mary was a devoted mother and homemaker all of her life. In 1977, she became the parish secretary/bookkeeper for Our Lady Of Grace Catholic Church. This would be a position she would hold up to the time of her retirement one month ago, due to declining health. She was especially proud of the job she did at the church and people knew that when you asked Mary to do something, she always gave more than she promised. Not only was Mary a dedicated employee, she was a very active member of the parish and belonged to several organizations. She was a long-time member of St. Monica's Altar Society Guild and enjoyed going to Bible studies in the evening. Mary was a loving, gentle mother and grandmother. When she was diagnosed with cancer in May of 1999, her doctors in Rochester, MN, told her she had "only a few months to live." But, Mary made a solemn vow that she would live to see her oldest grandchild graduate, and as was typical with Mary, she again gave us more than she promised, as she watched Nick graduate in May of this year. To say she was a faith-filled woman would be an understatement. She gave all her troubles and her pain to the Lord and counted her blessing instead of her problems. She was truly an inspiration to all those that knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Survivors: husband, Dennis, Minot; mother, Rose Anderson, Minot; four children, Susan (Scott) Weston, Minot, Sandra Schwan and special companion, Tim Sandmeier, Rapid City, SD, Sharon (Mark) Njos, Williston, ND, and Daniel Leith and special companion Jayne George, Minot; eight grandchildren, Javen, Kevin and Joshua Weston, Nicholas and Mallory Schwan, and Haley, Samantha and Maggie Njos; one brother, Richard Anderson, Burlingame, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Her father Adrian, brother Robert, and grandson Brent Weston preceded her in death. Funeral Mass: Wednesday, October 1, 2003, 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. Vigil Prayer Service: Tuesday, September 30, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. at the church. All friend and family are welcome. Visitation: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Thompson Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and prior to the evening vigil at the church. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot. Gift Bearers:Mallory Schwan, Haley Njos, Samantha Njos,
Josh Weston, Maggie Njos, Music: "Here I Am Lord," "Hail Mary,
Gentle Woman," "Be Not Afraid," "To Be Your
Bread Now" Active Pallbearers: Nicholas Schwan (grandson), Javen
Weston (grandson), Mark Njos (son-in-law), Scott Weston (son-in-law),
Dale Leith (brother-in-law), David Leith (brother-in-law) Honorary Pallbearers: St. Monica's Altar Society Circle, Mary's Bible Study and The Staff of Our Lady of Grace Church. |