Mary Ann (Wegleitner) Nygard

On May 9th 2024, Mary Ann Nygard lost her year’s long, courageous, battle with cancer. Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT, Saturday, May 18, 2024, at English Lutheran Church, Hazen, with Pastor Randy Emgarten officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow at the Hazen City Cemetery at a later date.  Lunch will follow at the Hazen City Hall.

Mary Wegleitner was born October 21st, 1950, in Williston ND to Betty and Paul Wegleitner. She was raised and educated in Epping ND. After high school graduation she moved to Williston with her family. She worked at various places in and around Williston. In 1972 she married Mark Nygard at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. Mary was blessed with two sons who were the absolute love of her life. Nothing was more important to her than being a mother. Although being a grandmother was an amazing blessing at a much different level. As a family they traveled and lived many places for Marks work including a year in Virginia and a year in Colorado. In 1980 they settled in Hazen ND which she has called home ever since. Mary was a stay-at-home mom until her boys were both in school and during that time took in day care as well. She returned to work in the outside world the day her youngest son started kindergarten. She was employed as a clerk at various businesses in Hazen. Her favorite as a checkout at Krause’s Super Value. She would dote on the elderly, always being helpful and caring and loved giving cookies to the children. She worked for a few years at the DGC and in 2005 she fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened her own catering business. Because of her hard work and passion for cooking large quantity meals this was an immediate success. She catered thousands of meals in the three-county area for businesses and events of all kinds. Her potato salad and caramel rolls were legendary, and she could roll paper thin lefse at the rate of one per minute. She reluctantly retired in 2015.          

First diagnosed with cancer in 1998 she fought hard and successfully beat it back. In 2020 another form of cancer emerged but Mary didn’t back down and began chemo sessions, countless tests, doctor appointments and trips to Bismarck and Rochester. And if that wasn’t enough a third type of cancer in her lungs proved to be more than she could endure. Through all of it Mary was always a part of her grandkid’s sporting events and family gatherings. Her endless positivity and faith in God kept her motivated and focused. Along with her life-long partner they fought cancer punch for punch, day after day.

Mary was not an overly adventurous woman, but she did manage to live her chosen life to its fullest. She was able to visit 44 of the 50 states before health issues got in the way.  She climbed to the crown of the Statue of Liberty and rode a horse drawn carriage through Central Park. She applauded country music at the Grand Ole Opry and rode on the back to a Harley from North Dakota to Alaska and back. She cheered on the Vikings at the Metrodome and the Steelers at Heinz Field. She marveled at the vista of the Colorado Rockies and basked on the beaches of Hawaii and Mexico. She camped on the outer banks of North Carolina and gambled on the Las Vegas strip. She dined on lobster in Maine and crab legs in Seattle. She cried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Viet Nam memorial wall. She walked the beaches of the Texas gulf coast and cruised around Lake Sakakawea on the pontoon. But always her happiest time and favorite place was in the comfort of her own home. Creating wonderful meals for family and friends. For Mary feeding a houseful of people was never a problem.  Her grandson once referred to her as “The best cook in the whole wide world “.

Mary is preceded in life by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who she knows has gone to prepare a place for her. Her love and faith in God were uncompromising.

Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, Mark, her sons John of Hazen and James (Tammy) of Bismarck. Her granddaughter Taryn of Burnsville Minnesota and grandson and granddaughter Cade and Bailey of Bismarck. Her brother and sister, Paul (Nikki) Wegleitner and Carol (Keith) Bruce of Williston. Her sisters, Betty (Danny) Rogers and Karen (Rod) Heller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her brother, John (Kathy) Wegleitner and sister, Loraine Wegleitner of Dickinson, ND. Her sister, Kathleen Gartner of New England, ND and sister, Donna (Leo) Kubisiak of Woodward, Iowa. Her Brother LaVerne (Fonda) Wegleitner of Hesperia, Ca. Sister-in-law, Sharon Wegleitner of Huntly, Mt, and her grand puppies, Dexter and Barry and grand kitties, Charlie and Rocky.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Bob, sister, Debbie Ike, infant siblings, Wanda, Joseph and Margaret, one brother-in-law, Leonard Gartner and her beloved dachshunds, Homer and Ruthie.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen and Beulah.

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