Mary Ann Fitchner

Minot

Mary Ann Fitchner—-83, Minot, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025 in her home at ProHealth.

Mary Ann Stevahn was born on May 26, 1942, a daughter of Adam and Anna (Ketterling) Stevahn in Wishek, ND. The family moved to Ray, ND, where she attended elementary school. In 1956, she moved to Minot, where she attended Dakota Lutheran High School, graduating in 1960. Mary Ann furthered her education by attending McPhail College of Music in Minneapolis, MN.

On June 29, 1963, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Ed Haugen. Together they had three sons and many adventures, starting with moving to northern British Columbia, Canada to homestead a farm. While in BC, she earned her ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music) and taught music at the Langley Community School of Music. They lived there until 1979, when they moved to the Haugen farm near Berthold, ND. The couple would later divorce.

On February 4, 1990, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Leland Fitchner. She enrolled at Minot State University, and in 1992, earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Leland passed from a work accident on July 17, 1995.

Mary Ann was a charter member of Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot, where she served as the pianist for several years. Mary Ann served as a piano teacher for over 60 years.

When Jesus stated the words in John 16:33, He could very well have had Mary Ann in His thoughts. Look up the verse. If you know her life, then you’ll agree. Anyone who knew her, knows of the many “lemons” that were sent her way in one form or another throughout her life. Mary Ann chose positivity and turned to faith, in dealing with the sour parts of her life, and in turn opened up the world’s largest “lemonade stand.” People were drawn to it. The last few years of her life, she needed many caretakers for her physical well-being, but she was the caregiver of hundreds, for their mental and spiritual well-being. Well done, good and faithful servant of God.

She is survived by: Children, Michael Haugen of Woodbury, MN, Mark (Kim) Haugen of Minot, Jonathan (Norine) Haugen of Bismarck; grandchildren, Dalton (Jessica)Haugen, Justin (Michaela) Haugen, Leah (Eric) Brown, Sarah (Zach) Wiest, Abby (Drew) Ellison, Katie Haugen, and Jacob Haugen; great-grandchildren: Anna, Emma, Argy, and Alan Haugen, Mason, Taylor, and Audra Dodge; brother-in-law: Harold Randall. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leland, siblings Diana Randall and Joyce Ziegler; special friends Harold Rosenthal and Archie Robillard.

Visitation: Friday, October 10, 2025 from 5 until 7pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Funeral Service: Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11am at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot

Burial: Saturday at 1pm at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Memorials may be given in Mary Ann’s honor to Bread of Life Lutheran Church, ProHealth, and Souris Basin Transportation.

Published by The Minot Daily News, October 8, 2025.