Mary J. Akers

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Mary Jane Akers, age 98, died on July 18, 2026, at home at Riverview Place in south Fargo. Mary was born on August 13, 1927, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Frederick and Mary (Reger) Saefke. Mary was a wife, mother and grandmother.

Mary grew up in south Fargo, attending St. Anthony Grade School and graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in 1945 after which she was eager to see the world, leaving home to work as a telegraph operator for Western Union in Cleveland, Chicago and then Detroit, Michigan, near her older sister, Charlotte, and her family. Mary returned to Fargo in 1952 and began working at Northwestern Bell Telephone, where she would meet her husband, Richard Akers. They married on August 30, 1954, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. They moved to Bismarck shortly thereafter. Their five children were all born and raised in Bismarck. Dick and Mary celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August of 2024. Dick and Mary returned to Fargo to live in 1983, when Dick transferred to the HUD offices in Fargo, retiring in 1991. After retirement, Dick and Mary enjoyed spending winters in Mesa, Arizona for 25 years, returning to Fargo each spring. They were active members at Nativity Church. Mary enjoyed the past three years living at Riverview Place in south Fargo, where the Presentation Sisters, residents and staff became extended family.

Mary’s faith in God was her foundation and participation in the Church, shared with Dick as well, was the center of her life. Mary and Dick would both say that their faith sustained them during more than a few of life’s great challenges. Mary loved not just her immediate family but her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews and their families. Mary loved to sing, whether it be in the church choir, daily mass or almost anywhere.

Mary is survived by her daughters Diane (Mark) McMorrow and Beth (Erik) Johnson, both of Fargo; as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dick, their daughter, Teresa (Akers) Mitzel, sons, Tom and Rick, brothers John and Fred, and sisters, Charlotte (Cibrowski) and Ramona (Neeb).

Funeral mass will also be at the Chapel in Riverview Place beginning at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Visitation will be from 10:00–11:00 AM.

Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Riverview Place and Ethos Hospice for their compassion and dedicated care.