Mary L. Wild, age 71 of Grafton, North Dakota passed away Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton surrounded by loved ones.
Mary was born to Laverne (Sonny) Flanagan and Katrin (Babe) Thomasson Flanagan October 15th, 1952. She was raised and went to grade school in Gardar, ND. She met the love of her life, Lauren Wild, during high school in Edinburg. Lauren and Mary were united in marriage on August 21st, 1970. Mary accompanied Lauren through his enlistment in the US Army where he served as an MP K9 Handler. After returning to North Dakota, they settled in Grafton; although Mary never forgot her roots as a “Gardar girl”.
Lauren and Mary went on to have two children, Erika and Tricia. Mary was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother; we will never be able to fill the space left behind by her passing.
Mary started her career in Grafton working for the S&L store and Montgomery Wards. She then spent 38 years serving the community in the Walsh County Tax Directors office. Through her time there, she gained many lifelong friends across the state and enjoyed her time with the “courthouse” ladies, friendships she continued to cherish even after retirement.
Mary’s most cherished role was as a Grandma. She was so proud of her six grandchildren and loved to share stories and updates about their activities and achievements.
She enjoyed her time at the lake house up at Lake of the Woods where she was known as Ma and nicknamed Fire in the Sky. She had a passion for fishing and on rainy days enjoyed needlepoint where she was always working on a project for one of the grandkids. She developed many special friendships over those years along with uncountable memories and stories.
Mary was a pillar of strength, never wavering in the face of illness or challenge and tackled each with courage and dignity. We’d like to extend our sincerest appreciation and thanks to all of the medical staff who have taken such great care of Mary with special thanks to the team at Unity Hospital.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Lauren, of Grafton; daughter Erika (Tom) Porcelli and sons Devon Fiedler, Hunter Fiedler and Jackson Porcelli; and daughter Tricia (James) Bodnar and children Brittney Anderson, Derek Anderson and Katrina Bodnar; her brothers Patrick (Suzie) Flanagan, and Vern Flanagan; in-laws Richard (Mary) Wild, Linda Dunnigan, Alexander Wild; and her beloved Aunt Patsy Foseide along with the many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Sonny and Babe Flanagan; in-laws LaVern Wild, Lillian Wild, JoAnn Flanagan, Linda Flanagan and Dan Dunnigan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 25, at 2:30 P.M. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Fargo National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at the Frosty Fox in Grafton following the Mass of Christian Burial.
Mary was born to Laverne (Sonny) Flanagan and Katrin (Babe) Thomasson Flanagan October 15th, 1952. She was raised and went to grade school in Gardar, ND. She met the love of her life, Lauren Wild, during high school in Edinburg. Lauren and Mary were united in marriage on August 21st, 1970. Mary accompanied Lauren through his enlistment in the US Army where he served as an MP K9 Handler. After returning to North Dakota, they settled in Grafton; although Mary never forgot her roots as a “Gardar girl”.
Lauren and Mary went on to have two children, Erika and Tricia. Mary was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother; we will never be able to fill the space left behind by her passing.
Mary started her career in Grafton working for the S&L store and Montgomery Wards. She then spent 38 years serving the community in the Walsh County Tax Directors office. Through her time there, she gained many lifelong friends across the state and enjoyed her time with the “courthouse” ladies, friendships she continued to cherish even after retirement.
Mary’s most cherished role was as a Grandma. She was so proud of her six grandchildren and loved to share stories and updates about their activities and achievements.
She enjoyed her time at the lake house up at Lake of the Woods where she was known as Ma and nicknamed Fire in the Sky. She had a passion for fishing and on rainy days enjoyed needlepoint where she was always working on a project for one of the grandkids. She developed many special friendships over those years along with uncountable memories and stories.
Mary was a pillar of strength, never wavering in the face of illness or challenge and tackled each with courage and dignity. We’d like to extend our sincerest appreciation and thanks to all of the medical staff who have taken such great care of Mary with special thanks to the team at Unity Hospital.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Lauren, of Grafton; daughter Erika (Tom) Porcelli and sons Devon Fiedler, Hunter Fiedler and Jackson Porcelli; and daughter Tricia (James) Bodnar and children Brittney Anderson, Derek Anderson and Katrina Bodnar; her brothers Patrick (Suzie) Flanagan, and Vern Flanagan; in-laws Richard (Mary) Wild, Linda Dunnigan, Alexander Wild; and her beloved Aunt Patsy Foseide along with the many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Sonny and Babe Flanagan; in-laws LaVern Wild, Lillian Wild, JoAnn Flanagan, Linda Flanagan and Dan Dunnigan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 25, at 2:30 P.M. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Fargo National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at the Frosty Fox in Grafton following the Mass of Christian Burial.