Mary Jane Pershke

Mary Jane Pershke, 93 of Devils Lake formerly of Crary, ND passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of her family and Altru Hospice. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Lyle Belleque officiating. Graveside Services will be held at the Crary Cemetery on Friday at 1:00 p.m.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, October 5th from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Mary Jane was born on April 25, 1924 on the family farm, rural Crary, ND, the daughter of John and Cora (Perkins) Cox. She grew up and was educated at Crary along with her six siblings.  During World War II, her brothers were all called to the Armed Forces so Mary Jane became the “hired man” on the farm.  She worked side by side with her Dad and he even bought her a new red tractor to do the farm work.  Mary Jane was united in marriage to Roy J. Pershke on February 10, 1945 at Moorhead, Minnesota. They established their home on the farm in Stevens Township.  Again, Mary Jane worked beside her husband on the farm.  She was also a devoted wife to Roy and loving mother to her seven children.  In 1989, they retired and moved to Devils Lake. Roy died on April 8, 1990.  Mary Jane continued to call Devils Lake home until her death.  Mary Jane was a faithful, active member of First Lutheran Church, Crary, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. She also enjoyed membership with the Fort Totten Trail Riders and volunteered with the Green Thumb Program. Family was always first and foremost in Mary Jane’s life. She was a part of every special event, activity, family gathering in her children and grandchildren’s lives.  She was the “go to” babysitter, loving every single minute she had with her grandchildren.  She was also the “hauler”, getting everybody where they needed to be, when they needed to be there.  Mary Jane’s love was unconditional, from the heart and everlasting. She is survived by her loving family. Her daughters Carol (Bob) Gibson, Laurie (Steve) Chepulis and Brenda (Norman) Howard all of Devils Lake; daughter-in-law Marilee (Ron) Hosman of Fargo; grandchildren: Jason Pershke, Sara Pershke; Tammy (Kevin) Devier, Melissa Elsperger; Cami (Matt) Hodgins, Kyle Langton; Abby (Noah) Johnson, Christine (Tanner) Jorissen; Cora (Kelly) Crane, Amy (Wes) Stegmiller, Jesse (Cathy) Kluck, Annie (Todd) Berg; Brian (Katie) Chepulis, Janie (Trevor) Schill; Kevin (Talice) Kraft, Trisha (Bryston) Eisenzimmer, Zach Howard; step grandchildren Megan (Matthew) Clapp and Aaste (John) Campbell;twenty-five great grandchildren and one more in December; five step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roy; sons Wayne, Roger and Donald Pershke; daughter Connie Kluck; grandson Roger Pershke Jr.; great grandson Sean Andersen; brothers Ralph, Ed, Orrin and Jack Cox; sisters Mildred Mertens and Blanche Frith. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Mary Jane’s grandchildren and a special tribute by Carol Gibson.