Mary McAlmond

85, Minot, formerly of

Helena, MT, passed away

on Saturday, February 18,

2017 in a Minot hospital.

Mary Margaret Syvert-

son was born on January

30, 1932 at the Good

Samaritan Hospital in

Rugby, ND, the daughter

of Selmer and Bertha

(Watson) Syvertson. She

graduated as the Valedic-

torian of the last graduat-

ing class of Overly High

School. Mary furthered

her education by attend-

ing Minot State Teachers

College, where she earned

a Bachelor of Science De-

gree in Elementary educa-

tion. Her first year of

teaching was at Union #1

between Cando, ND and

Wolford, ND. She had 22

students in 6 different

grades, plus stoked the

coal furnace and served as

the custodian. What an in-

troduction to teaching.

In 1951, Mary was unit-

ed in marriage to Orval

Wittmayer. Together they

had three children, Mitch,

Scott and Tammy Jo.

They made their home in

Minot, where Mary

worked within the Minot

Public Schools. Orval

died February 22, 1979.

In September of 1981,

Mary was united in mar-

riage to Keith McAlmond

at the Fern Grotta in

Kauai Hawaii. They made

their home in Helena,

MT, where she worked as

a substitute teacher. In

January of 1986, Mary

joined the ranks of Mary

Kay Cosmetics. She ex-

celled very quickly and

earned the use of two

Pontiac Grand Ams and

three diamond rings.

Keith passed away in

April 2010.

Mary enjoyed working

outdoors in her yard

landscaping, gardening

and doing yard work. She

also enjoyed traveling

with Keith, to Germany,

Ireland, France, and

throughout the United

States. Mary loved to

watch football, especially

the Minnesota Vikings.

Mary is survived by:

Children: Mitch (Jan)

Wittmayer, Moorhead,

MN, Scott (Angie Kunkel)

Wittmayer, Granville, ND,

Tammy Jo (Steven)

Brunelle, Burlington, ND;

Six grandchildren:

Brandon Wittmayer, Dean

Wittmayer, Amy Jo

Wittmayer, Tyrel Kraft,

Tanner Kraft and Andrea

Wittmayer; four great

grandchildren: Hannah,

Jaxon, Khariszma, and

JeTaime; siblings: BoB

(Darlene) Syvertson, Wil-

low City, ND, Betty

(LaVerne) Tweten, Minot,

Geri (Noel) Hanson,

Williston, ND;

sister-in-law Rita Syvert-

son, Orlando, FL; step

children: Judy, Rick,

Keith, Barb, Rod, Mark,

Monica, Bill and Monte;

numerous step grandchil-

dren and

great-grandchildren also

survive.

Mary was preceded in

death by her parents, hus-

bands, a brother Dale, and

step-children, Brian and

Lana Jean.

Visitation: There will be

no reviewal, however,

friends may sign a guest

register one hour prior to

the service at the church

Memorial Service:

Thursday, February 23,

2017 at 11 am at Zion

Lutheran Church, Minot

Burial: Will take place

at a later date in the

spring of 2017 at the

Overly Cemetery, Overly,

ND.