Mary Ermer

Mary Ermer, age 94, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at Villa Maria Nursing Home, surrounded by family members. Mary Howie (Ferguson) Ermer was born October 28, 1924 to Archibald and Elsie Ferguson at the family farm in Walhalla, North Dakota. She attended Walhalla High School and after graduating in 1942 she worked for a time in Chicago as a steel inspector in support of the WWII war effort. After returning to Walhalla she worked at the bakery, a job she loved and to which she returned near the end of her and her husband’s farming career. On May 30, 1946 she married John G. Ermer, a Fremont township farmer, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND. There were four children born of that union: Betty Ann (Gordon) Harlow, Fargo, ND; Father James Robert, Casselton, ND; John Francis, Fargo, ND; and Kenneth Paul (Julie), Eden Prairie, MN. Mary was a consummate farm wife loving nature, farm animals and the rigors of the land. Over the years she was known for her homemade quilts (some of them making their way to Chimbote, Peru), love of gardening, cooking and canning. She was a life time member of the St. Boniface Altar Society and worked the many Fall Church dinners that mark life in our rural parishes. In quiet times she could be found playing the piano, especially Gospel music. She joyfully entertained visiting neighbors and friends always with a great sense of hospitality. Her husband, John, died in 1998 and in 2002 she moved to Riverview Place in Fargo, ND to be near her children. After some medical issues she moved to Bethany on University in 2011 and finally to Villa Maria Nursing Home in 2014. Those she leaves to mourn are her daughter, three sons, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her deep faith, smiling face and friendly ways will be deeply missed, but remembered by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Boniface Church, Walhalla, North Dakota. A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 7:00 PM with visitation beginning at 6:00 PM at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Funeral Service will be held at Nativity Catholic Church on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning one hour prior. Interment will be held on October 7, 2019 at St. Boniface Cemetery, Walhalla, North Dakota at 11:00 AM.