Mary Pearl Smith

Mary Pearl Smith, 101, Devils Lake formerly of St. Michael, ND and Tacoma, Washington died on Wednesday morning, March 30, 2005 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael. Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Pallbearers will be Douglas Smith, Darren Kimmerly, Darrel Smith, Chuck Graham, Rodney Smith and Allen Smith. Reading the Scriptures will be Sr. Cecilia Smith and Lisa Olson Gift Bearers will be Rene Allery, Denise Jacobson and Sandra Malzahn Music will be provided by Amanda and Sarah Smith, Vocalists and Jodi Kurtz, Organist Mary Pearl Lang was born on December 6, 1903 at Tolna, North Dakota the daughter of Frederick and Mary Jane (Longie-Miller) Lang. At a young age, Mary Pearl moved with her family to Tokio, ND. In 1911, after Mary’s mother died the children went to a school run by the Grey Nuns in Canada. In 1918, Mary returned to Tokio and began working at the Tokio Store. On November 3, 1920 Mary Pearl was united in marriage to Alexander B. Smith at St. Michael. They established their home in Belcourt, ND They moved between Belcourt and Tokio for several years spending their lives working, caring and providing for their children. In 1930, they settled in the St. Michael area where Mary Pearl spent many hours sewing clothes for the children at the St. Michael Mission School. In 1943, Mary and Alex bought a farm in the St. Michael area where they farmed through the years. In 1950 the family moved to Tacoma, Washington. Alex died on November 25, 1968 while visiting family in Belcourt. Mary returned to Tacoma, Washington until 1972 and then she bought a home close to her son, Howard and lived there for 27 years. In December of 2001 at the age of 98 years, Mary moved to the Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake. Through all of the many hardships and tragedies of Mary Pearl’s life, she always had an unshakable faith in God and strength and courage to face each day. She worked along side her husband day after day and would do any type of work to make sure her family had food on the table and a roof over their heads. She had a strong believe that it was her duty to always welcome any priests and nuns into her home and make sure they had a good meal. Mary Pearl made sure her children had a good education and a strong Catholic upbringing. Mary prayed the Rosary many times a day and had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Society and was enrolled as a Perpetual Member of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate. Mary’s most treasured time was when she was with her wonderful, large family at birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and family gatherings. She did enjoy knitting, crocheting and quilting in her spare time. Mary left her family a legacy of love and faith and she will be so greatly missed by all. Mary Pearl is survived by her Children: Sister Cecilia Smith, Devils Lake Howard (Frances) Smith, Woodlake, ND Dee Markland, Tacoma, Washington Winnie Bartlett also of Tacoma Alice (Art) Kimmerly, Devils Lake Alfie Smith, Woodlake Larry (Teresa) Smith, Federal Way, Washington Julie Graham, Manchester, Washington Thirty One Grandchildren Fifty-Three Great Grandchildren Ten Great Great Grandchildren Half Sisters: Dorothy Butts Kay Alley, both of Minneapolis, MN Half Brother: Maurice Lang also of Minneapolis Daughters-In-Law: Darlys Smith , Sheyenne,ND Donna Smith, Puyallup, WA Many Nieces and Nephews Preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Emma Smith; husband, Alex; sons, Ambrose Smith, Francis Smith and Eddy Smith; brothers, Frank Lang and Frederick “Dutch” Lang Jr; and sister, Grace Frandson-Ganther Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com