Marian Mabel Chepulis

Marian’s celebration of life will be livestreamed below on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

Marian (Oxton) Chepulis. 93, of Fargo passed away gracefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025 with the caring staff at HIA Heather House Hospice in Fargo providing comfort in her final days.

Marian was born on a farm near Finley, ND to Mabel (Olson) and John (Jack) Oxton on September 24, 1932. One of ten children, she described growing up on the farm as a childhood with lots of play outdoors, from mastering use of the one pair of skis to shoosh down the a nearby hill to taking walks with her mom to admire the colors of the sunset. Her early school years were at the two-room Pickert Consolidated School. She was a member and life-long appreciator of 4-H and learned skills that she carried with her throughout her life, such as sewing, pie baking, home decorating, and many more. She credited her violin-playing father with infusing in her a life-long love of music, so much so that she aspired to be a singer in her teenage years. Early on she enjoyed dancing and tried to sneak into the community dance center as a 12-year old, but her cousin snitched about her age so she had to wait until she was 13. That love to dance continued throughout her life.

She met the love of her life and best dance partner, Veto Chepulis, in August, 1948. He was the new guy in town, a talented member of the football team, with the charming smile and sweet demeanor. She was a cheerleader on the pep squad so cheered him on and soon was his steady girl.

She graduated from Finley High School in 1950. Shortly after, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Mayville Teachers College. The scholarship was given under the agreement that she would teach in a rural one room school house for at least one year after completing her degree.

Even though Veto’s family moved to Devils Lake ND in his senior year, they kept up their long distance romance. They were married on August 16, 1951 at St Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. A year later the first of their six children came into the world.

Marian first taught in a one-room school house in Penn, ND, and then in Mapleton, ND, while Veto attended NDSU. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and while raising her family frequently took various positions in school settings because she enjoyed the students.

In the mid 1950’s Veto took his first job with Firestone Tire Co, which turned out to be the start of a life-long career and a lifestyle that demanded frequent change from his wife and family. In the 1950’s/60’s working for a national corporation meant that when the company asked you to move, move you did. Marian became proficient at selling the house, packing up the household and family, and moving from town to town in North Dakota and Minnesota as Veto was promoted and asked to move. They lived in Fargo ND (several times), Williston ND, Valley City ND, Mandan ND, Bismarck ND, Thief River Falls, MN and Milwaukee WI.

In May 1976, after enjoying a night with friends, Marian and Veto were driving home when their pickup hit an unmarked flatbed-trailer that was backing onto the highway. Veto was killed instantly at the young age of 45, Marian was hospitalized for several weeks with very serious injuries. Life was forever changed, but Marian’s story thereafter was one of resilience in the face of several other traumas, strengthened by the force of her faith. She was the model of accepting what life handed her and making the most of it.

She enjoyed traveling, especially to see her children who had moved to various parts of the nation, but also with friends to Hawaii, Bahamas, Mexico, Arizona, California, and Florida. In 1991 she traveled to Washington, DC, Beijing China and Moscow, Russia as part of Trollwood Performing Arts School’s IMAGINE International Friendship Tour.

She built many lifelong friendships thanks to meeting people with shared interests at single dances and bridge games. She found joy in attending concerts, movies and musicals with those special friends. Music and friendship meant so much to her!

After her children left home, she volunteered at St John’s Hospital, Bethany Homes, and St Anthony Church. Her most auspicious volunteerism came as the Best Trollwood Mom Ever at Trollwood Performing Arts School, where she did everything from sew costumes, man the office, sell merchandise, and host international visitors.

One thing Marian didn’t like was winter. She did all she could to be gone from North Dakota from November through April. She spent the bulk of her winters in Largo, Fl, where she met longtime friends, with whom she remained in touch after she could no longer travel there.

In 2020 her glaucoma took a “wild ride” (as described by her eye doctor). After five surgeries she was declared legally blind. Thanks to support from ND Vision Services and other agencies, her home was adapted so she could comfortably continue to live there. The family extends deep gratitude to Marian’s Angel Neighbors, Jeff and Sharon Weitzel. Jeff was her daily “mail man” and so much more. He always took time to do the Question and Joke of the Day and a round of Trivia Questions on Alexa with her, poured coffee for the following day, cut an apple, and whatever else she needed. Sharon frequently dropped off delicious baked goodies and nutritious meals which were always a highlight for Marian. Their friendship was deeply valued by Marian. Thanks in large part to them, Marian continued to live in her beloved condo until the final month of her life.

Marian always did life her way-she was very independent and knew what she wanted. However, if life threw her curve balls she still made the best of it. Through it all the most important things in life to her were her faith and her family. You could always count on Marian to be saying prayers for you and asking the angels to protect you.

At 93 years old, she had a sound mind, sense of humor and continued love of music. She made the choice to enter HIA Hospice, saying “I’m 93, I’ve lived a good, long life. These tubes and wires aren’t part of my plan.”

Marian will forever be remembered by her children Vicki Chepulis (Kent Scheer), Dale Chepulis (Stacy Stokes), Maribeth (David) Carlson, Peggy (Rick) Haugstad, Paula Chepulis (Maynard) Lee, Pam (Alan) Kirkhope. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren including Dale’s children Kelli Remjeske, Sam Chepulis, Rachel (Seth) Chamberlain, Nick (Bethany) Chepulis; Maribeth’s son Eric (Melissa) Nystuen; Paula’s daughter Brittany (Nick) Okke; Pam’s children Amy Williams (Jeramie) Dickman and Jason (Samantha) Williams. She also has 13 great grandchildren: Ethan, Dylan and Brandon Remjeske, Ivy and Rhett Chamberlain, Levi and Ella Chepulis, Willam and Harrison Nystuen, Piper and Lucy Dickman, plus Dayton Chepulis, son of Brittany Okke, who was a regular visitor and source of joy in her life, she always said he was her “sunshine.” In addition, she is survived by her brother Bill (Annette) Oxton, sister, Patricia Bradehoft, and her sister-in-law JoAnn Oxton, plus numerous nieces and nephews who were very precious to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Veto, her parents John (Jack) and Mabel Oxton, her brothers Neilan, Donald, James, and Rodney and sisters Betty, Frances and Phyllis.

A Celebration of “A Life Well Lived” will be held on Friday, October 24th at the Boulger Funeral Home at 123 10th St S in Fargo, ND. Visitation starts at 1:00pm, the Service is 2:00, followed by fellowship and afternoon snacks, then the burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. If attending the service, Marian would be happy if you wore bright colors that express joy in being alive.