MARY E STOCKELAND

MARY STOCKELAND

Mary Stockeland, 66, Cooperstown, ND, passed away on August 21, 2021 in her home while she surrounded by her family and friends.

Mary Ellen was born in Valley City, ND on November 16, 1954 and was adopted by Howard and Edna Sanden. Mary grew up on a farm near Luverne, ND and also lived in Milwaukee, WI. She married Donald Stockeland of Luverne, ND on April 15, 1978. They lived on her family farm before moving to Cooperstown. They adopted and raised two children, Austin and Ashley.

Mary waitressed at the Coachman Inn for more than 20 years. Her coworkers and customers knew her as a loving soul with a quick wit and fun sense of humor.

Since childhood, she and her sisters, Ruth and Debbie, were huge Elvis Presley fans. Mary enjoyed and followed Joseph Hall’s (Elvis tribute artist) concerts. She traveled to many destinations to watch his concert performances. Hall performed a concert at the high school in Cooperstown honoring Mary. It was the day after Mary passed away, but she was there in spirit. As it was said, “Only Mary could have pulled off an Elvis (Joseph Hall) concert for her celebration of life!”

She loved and treasured her family and grandchildren. Mary had a strong faith in God. She enjoyed diamond painting, collecting Elvis Presley and Joseph Hall memorabilia, visiting with everyone on Facebook, good food and desserts, and so much more. She especially enjoyed cuddling and hugging her grandchildren.

 Mary was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and two sisters.

She was survived by her husband, Donald, two children: Austin and Ashley, four grandchildren: Brody, Norah (both from Shepard, ND), Brooklyn, and Chyenne (both from Cooperstown), one brother: David Neilson (Great Falls, MT), two sisters: Ruth (Ed) Truman (Phoenix, AZ), and Debbie (Jerry) Lilly (Queen Creek, AZ), one brother-in-law: James (Jodi) Stockeland (Hannaford, ND), two sisters-in-law: Marlene Skjeret (Dazey, ND), and Ione Somsen (Jamestown, ND).

Mary’s family thanks our community, the Griggs County Medical Center, ambulance and first responders’ team, Hospice of the Red River Valley and staff, Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center and staff.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 5:00 till 7:00 pm in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm.  Visitation will continue Saturday, August 28, from 9:30 to 10:30 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 am.  Interment will be in the Union Cemetery, rural Hannaford, ND.

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             In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made toward funeral expenses.