MARY T. VOLK

Mary T. Volk, 95 of Devils Lake formerly of the Southam/Crary area of North Dakota passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers for Mary will be her grandchildren Tim Kraft, Dan Kraft, Susan Alvestad, Scott Kraft, Allan Kraft, Kim Volk-Fellows, Jon Volk, Karlene Clark and Stephanie Crowell. Honorary Bearers will be Mary’s great grandchildren Jennifer Swanson, Jill Haugen, Sarah Bachmeier, Chris Peters, Tony Alvestad, Melissa Kraft, Josh Kraft, Alexis Everson, Taylor Everson, Kordell Kraft, Karson Yelle, Baxter Yelle, Dawson Kraft, Mark Fellows and Megan Fellows and great great grandchildren Brandon, Presten, MaKayla, Jarret, Devon, Lane, Garret and Bailey. Reading the Scriptures will be Brandon Swanson and Gift Bearers will be Tony Alvestad, Kordell Kraft and Dawson Kraft. Music will be provided by Ann Kraft and Patty Cote. Mary Kraft was born on November 3, 1915, at home, near Barton, North Dakota, the daughter of August and Julianna (Frizon) Kraft. She was the youngest of eight children. She was educated at East Barton School #1. Mary was united in marriage to Martin Volk on November 4, 1935 and they lived with Martin’s father for a year near Filmore, ND, and then farmed on their own near Thorne, ND until 1942. At that time, they purchased the Chamberlain farm near Southam, ND and raised their family there. Mary was always very involved in school and church organizations. In 1962, they sold their farm and built a new home near Devils Lake. Mary worked at Mercy Hospital for a time until 1965, when they moved to Fort Totten, where Martin was employed as Caretaker of Cavalry Square. In 1971, Martin retired and they returned to their home near Devils Lake. In 1975 they moved to the Odd Fellows Village in Devils Lake. Martin passed away on July 1, 1975 and Mary continued living at the Odd Fellows Village until 2002 when she moved to the Odd Fellows Home. Mary was very creative and loved gardening, baking, crocheting and visiting with her friends. She shared her many creations with family and friends. Mary is survived by her daughters Rita Kraft and Cathy (Dennis) Olson of Devils Lake, ND and son David Volk of Westerville, Ohio; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Otillia Grad of Harvey, ND and many nieces, nephews and their families. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband Martin; daughter Ramona Crowell; son-in-law Alfred Kraft; sister Anna Keller; brothers Joe, Peter, Alex, Fred, Walter and George Kraft and great-great grandson Coltan Swanson. Memorials may be directed to the Heartland Care Center Alzheimer’s Care Unit or the Good Samaritan Center both of Devils Lake.