Mary Lou St. Aubin

Kalispell, Mont.

Mary Lou St. Aubin, age 84, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024, in Kalispell, Montana after a lengthy illness.

A devoted educator, cherished sister and aunt, loyal friend, and woman of deep faith, Mary Lou lived a life marked by service, adventure and an unwavering love for others.

Born on May 6, 1940 in Minot, Mary Lou grew up on a farm – a foundation that instilled a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for life’s simple blessings in her. During her youth, she lived in the Hartland, Donnybrook and Kenmare areas and she attended grade school and high school in North Dakota, graduating from high school with the Class of 1958. Her passion for learning led her to Minot State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree followed by two Master’s degrees in Education.

She attended the Carpio Lutheran Church with her brother Bob and her mother Bertha.

Mary Lou’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. Raised in the Lutheran tradition, she remained deeply committed to serving her Lord Jesus Christ throughout her life. Prior to living at Immanuel Living, she was an active member of Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell. She found joy and friendship in participating in women’s ministries and serving others whenever she could.

Mary Lou dedicated her life to teaching young children, shaping the minds and hearts of over 1,200 students throughout her distinguished career.

Her journey as an educator began in North Dakota and took her to Arizona, Mexico, British Columbia, as well as Libby and Whitefish in the Flathead Valley.

She was known for her creative approach to teaching, bringing art and music into her lessons to inspire curiosity and joy in the classroom. She received many awards throughout her career honoring her dedication to and love of children.

During her time at Immanuel Living, she chose to decorate her room in coral – her favorite color – as a tribute to the vibrant classrooms she once filled with laughter and learning.

Beyond the classroom, Mary Lou led a rich and adventurous life.

In her youth, she participated in 4-H and went on to explore modeling. She entered the 1962 Miss Minot of North Dakota Pageant where she showcased her talents in piano and dancing. She was an avid outdoors woman who engaged in gardening and birding. Her zest for life found expression through water skiing, hiking, climbing, running, snow skiing, and dancing.

Travel was a great passion of Mary Lou’s. Among her most treasured journeys was her trip with her father aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 as they toured Norway, France, and nearby areas together.

Her favorite adventure in her later life was a month-long boat trip she took with her brother Bob exploring the West coast of British Columbia.

During her time at Immanuel Living, she planned an annual vacation including her brother Bob and her friends Doug and Sherry. Each year, they toured a number of different venues she wanted to know more about. The CSKT Bison Range was her favorite.

While teaching in Mexico she met her lifelong friend Vitalia Leidecher. Their bond endured through decades of visits and shared memories; filled with hours of laughing and dancing.

A woman of boundless generosity, kindness, and warmth – Mary Lou volunteered in many nursing care facilities throughout her life.

She cared for both her mother and father prior to their passing and her legacy lives on through the countless students she inspired but also through the friendships she nurtured with grace and loyalty.

She was proud to have been one of the first investors in the new Immanuel Lutheran Villa’s. During her time at Immanuel Living, her goal each day was to touch the lives of other patients who she felt were struggling more than she was by touching them on the shoulder and greeting them.

As Mary Lou’s illness deepened, she often was unaware of her actions toward others and in true Mary Lou fashion, she would then feel terrible, ask for forgiveness, and send apologies to all she had offended.

Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to those who stood by Mary Lou during her final years: Jean Ambrose and the members of her small group at Easthaven Baptist Church who prayed for her and loved her; Doug Houtz-her dancing partner and friend; Sherry Stevens her “sister-friend” and “co-mother” of Lexie; and Jonene Bernhardt her “farmland friend” and bookkeeper as well as Erika Johnson, her faithful attorney.

The staff at EPAGA (Agape) Home Care of Kalispell; Woodland Clinic staff and Primary Care Team: Dr. Sarah Robinson, Elizabeth King and Melanie Zander; her Surgeon Dr. Thomas Origitano; her Neurologist Dr. Bret Lindsay and Dr. Roger Barth who she counted on for good advice. They also thank the compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff at Logan Health.

Mary Lou was grateful to the compassionate and dedicated staff and management at The Villa, The Lodge and The Retreat at Immanuel Living.

During her final days, the Logan Health Hospice Program nurses, counselors, and chaplain provided exceptional care as she completed her lifelong journey with joy.

Her memory will live on in every heart she touched – with every child who learned from her wisdom, every friend who felt uplifted by her presence, and every person who witnessed her steadfast and loving faith.

May Mary Lou’s legacy continue to bring comfort and inspiration to all who knew her.

Mary Lou is survived by her older brother Robert St. Aubin of Creston, BC, Canada; her two beloved nephews Steven St. Aubin and Raymond St. Aubin; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces; as well as many dear friends from her teaching years and those she came to know after settling in Kalispell following retirement and during the last years of her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents Bertha (Kolloen) St. Aubin and Herman St. Aubin as well as her sister-in-law JoAnn (Slater) St. Aubin, and her precious little dogs Mitzi and Lexie.

Mary Lou will be laid to rest next to her parents in North Dakota – a fitting return to the place where her journey began.

Her Memorial and Burial service will be held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Hartland Cemetery in North Dakota. Heather Feland of the Carpio Lutheran and Berthold Zion Lutheran Churches presiding.

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 7, 2025.