Mary Gravel

Mary Gravel, Fargo, died Thursday, March 18, 2004, in Bethany Homes, Fargo, at the age of 94. Mary Loaney was born September 4, 1909, to David and Agnes Loaney in rural Sherburne County, MN. She moved with her family to Onamia, MN, in 1917. In 1927, she married Francis Eugene Gravel. In 1947, they moved their family to Bemidji, MN. They lived there until 1966 when the two of them moved to Fargo, ND. Mary Gravel was a volunteer at St. Luke?s (MeritCare) for 20 years. She was always active in DFL politics and became involved in Fargo when the leadership there received a call from Hubert Humphrey alerting them that she was a potential strong member. Mary was named North Dakota?s DFL Woman of the Year by the Non-Partisan League in 1981. Mary was active on the board of the Fargo High Rise during her residence there. She also served on the Senior Commission for the State of North Dakota during Governor George Sinner?s term. She was a Gold Star Mother. Mary is preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Marcus and Thomas. She is survived by three sons: Douglas (Maria), New York City, NY, Paul (Nina), Fargo, ND, and Michael (Jan), Eagan, MN; three daughters: Phyllis (Ray) Hoversten, Onamia, MN, Mary Francis (Peter) Budge, Minneapolis, MN, and Sharon Ann (Tom) Davidson, Princeton, NJ; and daughter-in-law, Avonne Gravel, Long Beach, CA. She also leaves 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mavis Whiting Chapel at Bethany Homes, Fargo. Her remains will be buried in a private ceremony at Holy Cross Cemetery in Onamia, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DFL Party of Fargo, or to Bethany Homes. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com