Mary Gjerswold

Mary E. Gjerswold, 95, resident of Detroit Lakes, MN, died Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.

Mary Elizabeth McEwen was born November 7, 1914 on the family farm near Cashel, ND to Duncan and Elizabeth (Allen) McEwen. She graduated from high school in Hysham, MT where she had lived with her sister. She then moved back to the Grafton, ND area and was employed by an insurance agency in Grafton. While living in Grafton, Mary met her lifelong love, Harvey Gjerswold. They were united in marriage in 1936 and celebrated 70 years of wedded bliss. Together they had four children and Mary was a dedicated homemaker and mother. Her favorite pastimes were sewing and baking bread, Mary often baked cinnamon rolls for her neighbors at Christmas time.

At a very young age, Mary had decided she would never marry a farmer, but after nine years of marriage, Harvey surprised her and bought a farm in 1945. It didn't take her long to become a serious farmwife. You would often find her out in the field cultivating, plowing, hauling grain to the granary and several other farm related chores that needed to be completed. Harvey and Mary retired from farming in 1966 and continued to live in Grafton until 1979 when they moved to Long Lake near Detroit Lakes. They enjoyed their retirement years together at their lake home until moving into the Emmanuel Community Town Homes in 2003.

Mary will be remembered and missed by her children: Keith (Dorothy) Gjerswold of Gonvick, MN, Gary Gjerswold of Detroit Lakes, LeOtta (Charles) Glennen of Detroit Lakes, daughter-in-law Carol Gjerswold of Grand Forks, ND along with nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren, all very precious to her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son Lowell Gjerswold, great-granddaughter, Mary Lou Gjerswold, three brothers and seven sisters.

Funeral Services for Mary will be held Monday, October 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM in Emmanuel Nursing Home Chapel, Detroit Lakes. Officiating will be Reverend Wade Dutton. Visitation will be held at Emmanuel Nursing Home Chapel one hour prior to services on Monday. Interment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery.