Marian Prior

marian prior
Marian Mette Kolstoe Prior was born November 15, 1918 in Valley City, North Dakota to Inger Hertsgaard Kolstoe and Soren Olaf Kolstoe. She went to grade school and high school at the College School in Valley City and graduated from the Valley City State Teachers College. She received her MS in Education from UND in 1971. She died April 2, 2008 at Bethany Homes, Fargo, ND. Marian spent 50 years teaching children. Prior to her 31 years with the Fargo Public Schools, she taught at a country school near Lisbon, ND, at Brocket, ND, at Casselton, ND, at Bakersfield, CA, at the Methodist Nursery School and at Head Start in Fargo. In 1996 she led her friends to start ?Living with Languages,? a pre-school for New American children. This program ended in 2006. Marian married Fred Prior in Valley City, ND November 22, 1951. Marian had a lake cottage at Grace Lake, near Bemidji, MN where she spent her summers. She had many friends who would spend time at her summer home enjoying her wonderful cooking especially her egg pancakes, wild blueberry pie and split pea soup. Marian was actively engaged with her community. She served on the YWCA Board of Directors and chaired the Shelter Committee. She was an active member of Gethsemane Cathedral ? serving on the building committee and as Superintendent of Sunday School for 30 years. She was member of the Fine Arts Club, Alpha Delta Kappa, and the Study Club of Fargo. She mentored many children and adults throughout her life. Marian loved to travel, attend the theater and symphony, and play cards. Marian had a passion for life. Two of her special memories were of her 1985 balloon ride for her retirement from the Fargo Public Schools and her 2003 recognition as a Mom Honoree at the Presentation Foundation Salute to Moms. She is survived by her three brothers Oliver (Betty), Laguna Woods, CA, Ralph (Carolyn), Grand Forks, ND and John (Janet) Livingston, Montana and 14 nieces and nephews, one of whom still lives in North Dakota - Paul (Kari) Kolstoe of Grand Forks, ND. Her husband Fred died in 1962. Her brother Martin and his wife Julie, sister-in-laws Beverly and Lois, a nephew (Lee Paul) also preceded her in death. She will be remembered by the many children who were her kindergarten students, teaching associates, friends, and family. She taught us how to live and die with grace, faith and humor. Memorials may be given to the Fargo YWCA Shelter or the charity of your choice. Visitation: Friday, April 11 from 5-7 pm at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Prayer Service: Friday, April 11 at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorial Service: Saturday, April 12 at 11:00 am at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo. Interment: Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium, Fargo, ND. Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com

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  1. I just heard of Marian Prior’s passing. She was my kindergarten school teacher back in 1960, and a good friend of my mother (Rosemary Laskey) ever since. I was just thinking fondly of her once again, as I do often, and searched for her name and came across her obituary. She was a wonderful woman! Thank you for sharing her with all of us “children”…


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