Mary Focke

Mary Focke, 79, Minot, ND, formerly of Deering, ND, passed away peacefully Monday, October 24th at Souris Valley Care Center in Velva, ND.

Mary Kathryn Korman was born September 20, 1943, to Arthur and Linette (Strobel) Korman in Minot, North Dakota. After her dad’s return from the war, they settled in Grilley Township of McHenry County. She attended grade school at the Grilley school and graduated from Glenburn High School in 1961. She graduated Minot State University with an Elementary Education degree. She held teaching positions in several schools over her career, but her longest tenure was with Minot Head Start where she worked from 1992 until her retirement 20 years later.

Mary married Jim Focke in December 1965 and their adventure began with a move to Glasgow Montana. After a year, they returned to Minot and eventually settled in Grilley Township which was truly where they felt at home. Jim and Mary had two sons, Allen and Christopher. She was a stay-at-home mom while they were growing up.

Mary enjoyed gardening and baking, but she especially loved animals. Mary had about every pet one can think of from dogs to cats to birds to horses and her beloved donkeys.

Mary is survived by her sons: Allen (Janine) Focke, Minot, ND and Christopher Focke, Plymouth, MN; Grandchildren Beth and Aiden Focke, Minot; and Sister-in-Law Barbara Vetter, Rugby, ND; and three nieces, one nephew and several cousins. She also left behind her two dogs, Toby and Maggie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Jim.

Funeral: Monday, October 31, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery, rural Deering, ND.

Visitation: Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: are preferred to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the First Lutheran Church website: www.firstlutheran.tv

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).