Mary Beth Puetz

mary  puetz

April 23, 1952 ~ September 27, 2024


Resided in: Moorhead, Minnesota

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Mary Beth Puetz passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Sanford Hospital Hospice House in Fargo surrounded by her loving family members and friends.

Mary Beth Knutson was born on April 23, 1952, the daughter of Carl and Vera Mae (Melbye) Knutson in Crookston, MN. At an early age, the family moved to the Twin Cities area where she grew up and received her education in North St. Paul. Mary Beth attended Minnesota State University Moorhead where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in teaching in 1974. She began her career in Sauk Center, MN where she taught for three years, before moving to Fargo, ND, to teach at Fargo South High School.

While teaching in Fargo, she met her future husband, Donald. They were united in marriage on August 18, 1978, in North St. Paul. Mary Beth and Don made their home in Fargo where they welcomed their son, Adam in 1982. They taught together at Fargo South their entire careers and enjoyed many winters in Arizona after their retirement. Summers were spent enjoying the time together as a family at the lake home for over 30 years and taking many family vacations.

Mary Beth was proud of the Master’s degree she earned later in life at MSUM in Special Education. Her dedication to her profession and her calling to special education is evident in the many lives that she touched in countless students over the years. In her free time, she loved her family, friends, the lake, wine, knitting, crafts, and reading.

Mary Beth is survived by her loving husband, Donald of Moorhead, MN: her son, Adam (Hanna) Puetz of Fargo, ND; her sister, Joy (Paul) Kleppe; and her two brothers – James Knutson and Mark Knutson; her nieces and nephews – Joe Kleppe and Sam (Rachel) Kleppe, and Molly (Ben Kocer) Knutson and Ben Knutson; and her two great nephews – Lincoln and Arlo. Also surviving are many cousins and several very dear friends who were like family to Mary Beth.

Mary Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Vera Mae; her parents-in-law, John and Selma Puetz.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: 2 PM Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a gathering one-hour prior.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

Video Tribute:

Services

Celebration of Life - Saturday: October 5, 2024 2:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

Visitation - Saturday: October 5, 2024 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Thinking of you and your family. So sorry to hear about Mary Beth. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

  2. To: Donald, Adam and Hanna
    Thinking of you
    Though the words are few, the sympathy is great.
    We are so sorry for your loss.
    Susan and Dick Ksenich

  3. I just heard about Mary Beth’s passing from her friend, Sue Myxter. Mary Beth was part of our Novice Niners Golf League in Sun City, AZ for many years. She so enjoyed our group as we were very social and she never missed a gathering. We will be missing her. My deepest sympathies to her family. May the Lord give you comfort and peace at such a difficult time. Love, Joyce

  4. Had the pleasure of meeting & golfing with Mary Beth in the Novice Niners League – AZ. A lovely lady, taken too soon. RIP Mary Beth, you will be missed. 🙏

  5. Don,
    I’m so very sorry. Mary Beth was a dear. She enjoyed life. She has gone way to soon.

    Your friend, MaryAnn Armbrust

  6. I was lucky to work with Mary Beth at South High. She was a friendly and helpful coworker. When I think of her, I immediately remember her big smile and sparkling eyes. She made a huge impact on many students.
    I send my sincere sympathy to her family and friends. I know she will be dearly missed. May you find peace as you celebrate her life.
    Susan Brudvik

  7. Mary Beth was a wonderful woman, she made our jobs as special ed teachers so much easier. I always enjoyed our conversations and although I hadn’t seen her in years I have fond memories of Mary Beth.

  8. I was lucky enough to call Mary Beth my sister-in-law for 21 years. What a sweet, loving lady who enjoyed people and loved life!. Gone way too soon! My sympathies go out to Don, Adam, Hannah, Joy, Mark, and Jimmy.

  9. Don, Adam and Hanna,
    I so enjoyed working with Mary Beth at South. She was always positive and cared so much for the students. Loved her laugh and smile. What a wonderful educator I had the fortune to work with over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for Mary beth. May she rest in peace, but will not be forgotten.

    Dick Warner

  10. I was so saddened to read about the death of Mary Beth. I worked with English second language students in the Fargo schools and I so enjoyed working with Mary Beth. She was always so enthusiastic and positive. It was very obvious that she loved being a teacher and enthusiastic about being a part of the education program at Fargo South
    Verlene Dvoracek

  11. I was so saddened to read about Mary Beth’s death…what a
    dear person, always a smile, happy to see you! Adam was in my third grade class, she was such a loving parent, and so proud of Adam. Thinking of your family at this difficult time, with Warm memories of Mary Beth.
    Patty Einerson-Fox

  12. I worked with Mary Beth at South High School. In all the years we worked together, I never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. I appreciated her friendliness and kindness toward me. I know that everyone enjoyed the same from Mary Beth. My sympathy to you, Don, and your family. May you find peace in the memories you have made together all these years. God bless you.
    Gwen Stark

  13. We are sorry to hear of Mary Beth’s passing. She was such a fun person to be around at our car club picnics. Her personality always added a “shine” to the activities. We will miss her. God Bless you and your family.

  14. I was bowled over to hear of Mary Beth’s passing- so much life, gone so quickly. Mary Beth was one of my fellow special eduction teachers at South for many years, always looking out for the child- the way is should be. I treasure those times and the world will have an empty space now. But I am sure Heaven welcomed her! My sympathy to Adam,Don and Hannah and her friends.

  15. Beautiful woman inside and out! You will be missed! Don,Adam and family so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers!

  16. Sending my condolences to Mary’s family. Her smile and laugh is something I will always remember. Mary, Cheryl Greeder and I had some fun times together.

  17. Mary Beth was a Sun City neighbor with my parents, Frank and Carolyn Daly. She was such a kind person and I know they spent time together, golfing and Mary Beth and my mom enjoyed sewing. She was so kind to come to their services and had so many caring words for me and my family after they both passed in 20’. I am so very sorry for your loss and my deepest sympathies to you and your families. I hope your memories will help you thru the days ahead.

  18. Our sympathy to you, Adam and Hanna.
    I’m in Wi with family for the next 2 weeks so I won’t be able to attend the celebration of life.
    Sending hugs and prayers
    Virlaine Pedersen
    Katie, Laura and Michael

  19. Mary Beth was part of our Novice Niner Golf League in Sun City. She enjoyed playing and socializing. We will miss her sweet smile and fun nature. My condolences are with the family. My prayers are for healing and comfort.
    Pam

  20. Please accept my sincere condolences for the passing of dear MaryBeth. She was my supervising teacher for my sped student teaching time at South Fargo HIgh. She was always positive and helpful with advice for a new teacher. We kept in contact for many years exchanging Christimas cards that kept us both up to date on family times. I am so very sorry for Don, Adam and Hanna for the loss of a wonderful wife and mother. God bless all of you.

  21. Don, Adam, Hannah and all those who knew Mary Beth,

    I am so very sorry about this sudden, unexpected and very sad loss – I adored the treasured time spent in Sun City Beading & Weaving and our Happy Hours with Mary Beth. Such a fun, kind, funny, sassy and brilliant woman and we will miss her so very much. I dearly hope the fond memories you have will help you find peace in your coming hours, days, weeks, months and years. With love, Anne

  22. My deepest sympathy to Mary Beth’s family. I met Mary Beth at the Touchmark gym doing water aerobics. Always a smile with a twinkle in her eyes. She will be missed.

  23. Dear Don, I am so very sorry to see that Mary Beth has passed. I know what it is like to lose your best friend and spouse. The hole is big. Mary Beth was always so smiley and cheerful. She was uplifting and enriching to be around. Yes, you’ll all miss her dearly. My heart is with you, Don, Adam and Hanna.
    Margaret Harris

  24. We are so sorry to hear of Mary Beth’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved her.

  25. The Lord now has another SPECIAL Angel… Mary Beth was an angel to those of us who knew her during our time together. She had a mission and vision for inclusion and acceptance before much of society. Her joyful presence and her clear and thoughtful delivery of care, compassion, and connection (and correction when needed) made her an exceptional educational leader. Mary Beth’s encouragement and dedication to her friends and family was a bright light and a model to others. I see her even now with twinkling eyes and a ready smile. Keep her faith and her dedication to others as a constant tribute to her memory.

  26. We are so very sorry for your loss of Marybeth. She was always fun to be with and we will always remember and cherish the many years of friendship. Our sympathy to all of you.


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