Dr. Justo Leon Mari

Dr. Justo's Live Streamed Funeral Mass can be viewed below. We are reliant on the churches wi-fi for a stable connection, if something does happen with that connection, the service is being recorded and will be posted later: Dr. Justo's Live Streamed Prayer Service and Funeral Mass can be viewed below shortly before the services take place: On the morning of November 9, 2021, with his daughter, Marilyn, by his side, Dr. Justo L. Mari, 94, was called home to join his wife, Diane, and son, John, after a long battle with dementia. Justo was born on May 12, 1927, in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines, the ninth of ten children, to Dr. Justo C. and Rosa deLeon Mari. Justo enjoyed his childhood in Alaminos, although he often talked about the disruption of his family during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, during WWII. The schools closed, and his family had to move to the country. His father was a physician and pharmacist, and always told him that he should be a priest or a medical doctor. Justo chose medicine, and after graduating from the University of Santo Tomas Medical School in Manila, Philippines, he moved to Fargo, ND in 1954, to complete his residency and internship at St. Luke’s and St. John’s Hospitals. During this time, he met Diane Erickson, a nurse at St. John’s Hospital. At first sight, Diane knew he was the one and wasn’t getting away. They were married on June 1, 1957. While completing his residency, his supervising physician noticed Justo’s talent for suturing, and encouraged him to pursue a career in surgery. He and Diane moved to Minneapolis to complete his surgical residency at Minneapolis General. Jeff and Marilyn were born during this time. Knowing his love for the outdoors, hunting and the lakes, a colleague invited him to Bottineau, ND, where he took a position as a general surgeon at St. Andrew’s Hospital in 1961. John and Jackie were born during his time in Bottineau, where the family lived until 1975. A friend, who was a Fargo Clinic partner, offered him a position as an Emergency Room Physician at St. Luke’s Hospital. The family moved to Fargo, ND in December 1975. Justo worked in the ER for 10 years, followed by 5 years in immediate care, and retired in 1992. After his retirement, Diane and Justo were blessed to be able to spend the next 20 years between Arizona and Little McDonald Lake in Minnesota. In his free time, Justo enjoyed spending time at the lake, fishing, hunting, and smoking his daily cigars. During his years in Bottineau, he was a member of the Country Club. He never picked up a golf club, but spent every Wednesday evening at the club playing poker. He was a man of few words, but loved to tease and joke with those around him, even in his final years at Kinder Care in West Fargo, ND. Justo was preceded in death by his wife, Diane (December 16, 2020), son, John (November 6, 2021), parents, eight siblings, granddaughter, April Beth Mari (March 1, 1989), and many other dear relatives and friends. Carrying on his legacy, all in Fargo, are his son, Jeff (Kaley) and daughter-in-law, Lynne, Mari; daughters, Marilyn (Dr. E. James) Werre, and Jackie (Dr. Daniel L.) Mengedoth. Grandchildren, Sydney (Patrick) Stoa and children, Remy and Jaxon; Chanel (Brent) Malone and son, Marshall; Dr. Jordan (Dr. James) Muir and daughter, Jocelynne; Katelyn (Zach) Frappier, and daughters, Mari and Koa; Audra Mari; Jade Mari (fiancé Davis Geske); Jarett Mari; Max, Austin, Samuel and Simon Mengedoth. Also left to mourn his loss is his sister, Virginia, Philippines, and many other nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kinder Care in West Fargo, https://kindercarefargo.com/, or Hospice of the Red River Valley, https://www.hrrv.org/giving-back. Dr. Justo's Video Tribute can be viewed below: