Marie Louisa Boeder Bartholomay

Maria Louisa Boeder Bartholomay of Enderlin, North Dakota (formerly of Sheldon, North Dakota), passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the age of 89. Born Maria Louisa Schindler on July 30,, 1933, to Herman and Emma Schindler, she lived on a farm outside Barnesville, Minnesota, with her five siblings.

Maria attended Assumption Grade School until the 8th grade and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1952. She attended the University of Minnesota, on their St. Paul campus, after earning a scholarship – an achievement she was always proud of. Maria spent two years taking secretarial classes in their training program, along with classes in meat cutting and German.

After graduation, she worked at 1st State Bank in Casselton, North Dakota, where she met Elmer Boeder. They married on October 5, 1957, and moved to Sheldon, where they farmed and raised their three boys: Byron, Kevin, and Duane. Elmer passed in 1978, and Maria married Robert Bartholomay in 1988. Maryhill Manor in Enderlin became Maria’s home in 2013, the same year of Robert’s passing.

Most called her Marie, and she was known for her love of family and service to the community. Active in 4-H, Royal Neighbors of America, Meals on Wheels, and the American Legion Auxiliary, she was always on the go. Maria was the mayor of Sheldon for more than 20 years, and her door was always open. She often had a cold beer or a scoop of ice cream on hand – usually both. You’d likely find talk radio or polka music in the background. Maria loved to visit, and at 89, still called her family at all hours of the day and night to check on them. She really loved a good story, both to hear and tell, and was notorious for getting the giggles. New technologies were always intriguing to her, and she was often an early adopter. Cameras were especially important to Maria; she loved taking pictures. Maria lived with tenacity and determination, spunk and contentment, and she modeled hard work and service to others. She is missed by many.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, husbands Elmer and Robert, sisters Monica Schindler and Katherine Haagenson, and brother August Schindler.

She is survived by two siblings Victoria Heile and Leo (Anita) Schindler; three sons Byron Boeder, Kevin Boeder, and Duane (Jennifer) Boeder; five grandchildren Katie (Richard) Brayden, Kyle (Lisa) Boeder, Matthew (Karli) Boeder, Terese (Russell Miskulin, fiancé) Boeder, Taylor (Jon) Stork, and Haley Boeder; and 10 great grandchildren Baya, Eli, Gretta, Bode, Moxen, Darryl, Owen, Ross, Madelynn, and Illianna.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10:00 am. All will be held at Our Lady of the Scapular Catholic Church at 145 Crosswell Street in Sheldon, North Dakota. Donations and memorial contributions may be made to Sheldon Fire Hall, Maryhill Manor, Hospice of Red River Valley, or to Our Lady of the Scapular Catholic Church.