Mary L. Wild

Mass of Christian Burial and a Celebration of Life were held April 25, 2024,at 2:30 P.M. in Grafton, N.D., for Mary L. Wild, 71, of Grafton, who passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton surrounded by loved ones. Inurnment will be at the Fargo National Cemetery.

Mary was born to Laverne (Sonny) Flanagan and Katrin (Babe) Thomasson Flanagan October 15, 1952. She was raised and went to grade school in Gardar, N.D. She met the love of her life, Lauren Wild, during high school in Edinburg. Lauren and Mary were united in marriage on August 21, 1970. Mary accompanied Lauren through his enlistment in the US Army where he served as an MP K9 Handler. After returning to N.D., they settled in Grafton, but Mary never forgot her roots as a “Gardar girl.” Lauren and Mary went on to have two children, Erika and Tricia. Mary was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother; we will never be able to fill the space left behind by her passing.

Mary started her career in Grafton working for the S&L store and Montgomery Wards. She then spent 38 years serving the community in the Walsh County Tax Director’s Office. Through her time there, she gained many lifelong friends across the state and enjoyed her time with the “courthouse” ladies - friendships she continued to cherish even after retirement.

Mary’s most cherished role was as a grandma. She was so proud of her six grandchildren and loved to share stories and updates about their activities and achievements. She enjoyed her time at the lake house up at Lake of the Woods where she was known as Ma and nicknamed Fire in the Sky. She had a passion for fishing and on rainy days enjoyed needlepoint where she was always working on a project for one of the grandkids. She developed many special friendships over those years along with uncountable memories and stories.

Mary was a pillar of strength, never wavering in the face of illness or challenge and tackled each with courage and dignity. We’d like to extend our sincerest appreciation and thanks to all of the medical staff who have taken such great care of Mary with special thanks to the team at Unity Hospital.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Lauren, of Grafton; daughter Erika (Tom) Porcelli and sons Devon Fiedler, Hunter Fiedler and Jackson Porcelli; daughter Tricia (James) Bodnar and children Brittney Anderson, Derek Anderson and Katrina Bodnar; brothers Patrick (Suzie) Flanagan and Vern Flanagan; in-laws Richard (Mary) Wild, Linda Dunnigan, Alexander Wild; and her beloved Aunt Patsy Foseide along with the many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sonny and Babe Flanagan; and in-laws LaVern Wild, Lillian Wild, JoAnn Flanagan, Linda Flanagan and Dan Dunnigan.

An online guestbook is available at www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton was in charge of the arrangements.