Mary E. Graf Howatt
December 8, 1968 ~ March 17, 2023
Mary’s services will be livestreamed on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrTpojoL8pdL6wZ8Hkbz5KMh4laBPJ8IU
Mary Elizabeth Graf Howatt, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, returned to our Heavenly Father on March 17, 2023, following sudden heart failure after 54 years of full and rewarding life. She was an anchor and a light in the lives of everyone who knew her, often serving as a life coach since before the position was invented. Her final act of love was to continue selfless service to others through organ donation.
Mary was the second of six children, born December 8, 1968, to John and Judy Graf of Cameron, WI. She was creative and supportive even in childhood, finding every opportunity to bring peace and enrichment to her siblings’ lives. Her love of cheering for and supporting others started in her backyard, was refined through several school and university squads, and continued into adulthood as she found multitudes of opportunities to enhance the lives of others, especially children.
Mary completed a degree in English Secondary Education at University of Wisconsin–River Falls with the ambition to be a librarian. While there, she provided support to new undergraduates as a worker in the Admissions Office and as a Resident Assistant. UWRF is where Mary met Kirk Howatt, her future husband. She loved that he understood her studies were important, and that he joined the cheer team to spend more time with her. Mary and Kirk were married in Barron, WI, on May 29, 1993. They moved to Colorado for Kirk’s graduate studies, and Mary continued organizing programs and enriching the lives of others through positions in Residence Life.
Mary and Kirk have been raising three children, Alexandra, Zachary, and Kylie. She instilled in them, and demonstrated for all of us, a strong sense of justice and a steady faith; she taught them how to lead in service and laugh in the face of challenges. She was their strongest supporter and guided them through troubling frustrations and difficulties as well as rejoiced with them through countless accomplishments.
Mary embodied lively dedication to serving others, especially in relation to children, education, and the arts. She fostered the growth of students at Northern Cass School through her leadership and involvement in Destination Imagination, Speech, Robotics, Cheerleading, Poetry Out Loud, and other organizations and activities. In recent years, she also served as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Activities Director at Northern Cass School. She dedicated time to teaching Religious Education and facilitating high school Mission Trips through St. William’s Catholic Church in Argusville, as well as participating in the Parish Council and generally helping everything to run smoothly. She has also been the Auditor for the city of Argusville for several years. The impact Mary left on students, families, teachers, coworkers, and her community is immeasurable.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, John and Judy. She is survived by husband Kirk; children Alexandra, Zachary, and Kylie; siblings Cathy, David, Barb (husband Nathan Hartzell and daughters Lauren and Claire), Carol (husband Jason Hoopman and daughter Isabelle), and Jenny (husband Kenny Mitchell and children Max, Brooke, and Sam); and numerous other extended family.
Mary lived a life full of love, laughter, and chocolate. She will be dearly missed and remembered always by family and community alike. Visitation will be held at St. William’s Catholic Church in Argusville, ND, from 4-7pm on Sunday, March 26 with prayer service to follow. Funeral service will be Monday, March 27 at 10:30 am with viewing before and a lunch provided afterward. Mary’s interment will be in Cameron, WI, later in the week. Livestream of the funeral can be accessed through Boulger Funeral Home website.
Flowers may be sent to Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103. The family appreciates memorials to assist with a living memory project to honor Mary but encourages you to continue her legacy through your own service work or memorial donation to one of these organizations: Life Source (organ donation services) – www.life-source.org/giving/ ND Council on the Arts Cultural Endowment Fund – www.arts.nd.gov/get-involved/how-donate-endowment-fund or your local foodshelf.
Services
Visitation - Sunday: March 26, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
St. Williams Catholic Church Argusville, ND
107 Drake Ave Argusville
ND 58005,
Prayer Service - Sunday: March 26, 2023 7:00 pm
St. Williams Catholic Church Argusville, ND
107 Drake Ave Argusville
ND 58005,
Visitation - Monday: March 27, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am
St. Williams Catholic Church Argusville, ND
107 Drake Ave Argusville
ND 58005,
Funeral Mass - Monday: March 27, 2023 10:30 am
St. Williams Catholic Church Argusville, ND
107 Drake Ave Argusville
ND 58005,
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Kevin & Liz Thompson
My heart is broken and overflowing with love for you! What a loss! Mary’s smile will never be forgotten.
-The Gustafson Family
She was a champion and mentor to many and her loss will be felt throughout the school and community.
*To Mary’s Family~ I’m so very sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful and faithful soul! Mary was dedicated to so many and so much in her earthly life. She will undoubtedly be a shining angel in heaven, just as she was on Earth. Know of my prayers for each of you as you mourn and celebrate a life well-lived.
With my sincerest sympathy,
Janelle Zander
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
My deep condolences. Your family will be on my heart as you navigate the way ahead.
Where does your strength come from?
Only you know.
Honoring Mary in so many ways.
Peace and love to you as you grieve and always.
Tanya, Joshua, Jorian, Jana Russiff
I, like many others, had the joy and opportunity of having Mary be a coach in life. Not only did she engage on activities that I signed up for, but she would always present opportunity by talking about the number of things she’s involved in and how I could get involved with the same. So few can even approach the level of drive Mary possessed in trying to bring more to those around her in the world.
Many in the world mourn at Mary’s passing, may she continue to shine bright in heaven above.
My condolences to Kirk, Alexandra, Zachary, Kylie, and the rest of Mary’s family and friends.
Our sincere condolences to Mary’s family.
Teri Popko, Kelly, Ericka 7 Jeff
Z and I were blessed by Mary’s kindness and yours, Kirk, when during a winter storm, I reached out to see if she knew of someone we could pay someone to clear the drive, so we could get to the hospital. Mary sent you…
Our hearts break at your family’s loss.
Mary’s legacy, her smile and sense of joy have changed lives. And when someone’s light has shone so bright, I believe God makes sure that it will never be extinguished, that it will continue on in all who loved and knew her and everyone warmed by her light.