Marie E. Beckstrand a lifetime resident of the Warwick, North Dakota passed away on Sunday morning, May 25, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. She was 91.

Funeral Services for Marie will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Warwick Lutheran Church with Rev. John Monson officiating. Marie will be laid to rest in the Warwick Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Marie was born on October 26, 1922 at rural Warwick, ND the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Swanson) Anderson. She was educated in Warwick and after graduating from high school, Marie moved to Detroit, Michigan. She lived with her brother, and for 3 years she did defense work during World War II at the Mile Long Ford Factory as a riveter. She was the typical, Rosie the Riveter as praised in song and identified on the canvas by Norman Rockwell. At this factory, they were making B 17 and B 24 Bombers.

Marie returned home to Warwick and began working at the Warwick Post Office. Soon after Marie started working there, Mel began making many trips to the Post Office to buy 3 cent stamps. Marie and Melvin were united in marriage on November 26, 1947 in Devils Lake.

They established their home on a farm in Warwick township where they lived, worked and raised their children, Bradley and Sandra.

Marie was a farm wife to behold. Mel frequently called her "his secretary" but she was so much more. She cooked for "crews" of farm help and their meals consisted of white and whole wheat homemade buns, homemade caramel rolls that have never been duplicated by anyone and produce that was canned and prepared from Marie's huge gardens. They ate the meat from the cattle they raised. Marie and Mel farmed side by side through the many years, but when they did decide to semi retire, they enjoyed traveling, especially to Naval Veterans Reunions all across the country. Marie even made a trip to Norway.

Marie was a baptized, confirmed and very active member the Warwick Lutheran Church and WELCA and made many quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Marie was a Girl Scout Leader, a member and officer of the Duz It Club, served on the Farm Bureau Women's Council and Planning Committee and she and Melvin were also members of the 55 Club. In her younger years she played the accordion in a Women's Combo and also bowled on two leagues for many years.

While Mel spent time at the hospital and nursing homes, Marie loyally visited him every day, driving 20 miles through road constructions, each way. She truly stood by Mel's side.

Marie and Melvin lived and loved through the good times and the bad times. Each day together was an adventure and they were devoted to each other and to their children and grandchildren. There is sadness in our hearts but memories to last a lifetime.

Marie is survived by Melvin her husband of 66 years; son Brad Beckstrand and his wife Sheryl of Warwick, ND and daughter Sandra Hersrud and her husband Joe of Fargo, ND; grandchildren Calby (Ciarra) Beckstrand also of Fargo, Joshua (Lizzie) Fossum and Heather (Aaron) Kolchefkski all of Drake, ND; great grandchildren Marlee Beckstrand, Jerrett Volochenko and Evan Kolshefkski; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John Beckstrand, Warwick, Gladys and Bob Jacobson also of Warwick and Barb Beckstrand of Finley, ND; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Carl L., Edgar, Leonard, Rueben, Norman, Jesse, Louis and Arvid; sisters Anna Hanson, Edith Walter and Linda Hanson.

Serving as Casket Bearers for Marie will be her grandchildren, Calby Beckstrand, Joshua Fossumm and Heather Kolchefkski and also Collin Hanson, Kenneth Hanson and Lester Hanson.