Mary Langer Gokey, of Fargo, Mimi to her many friends, died May 28, 20023, after a long and active life. She was the wife of the late Franklyn Charles Gokey and the third of the four daughters of U.S. Senator William Langer and Lydia Cady Langer. Her father was elected North Dakota Attorney General before she was born. He served two terms as Governor of North Dakota in 1932 and 1936 and served three terms in the U. S. Senate, from 1940 to 1960. In his final campaign, he carried every county in the state. Her mother, Lydia Cady Langer, was the daughter of prominent New York City architect J. Cleveland Cady, who designed the original Metropolitan Opera, the American Natural History Museum in New York City and numerous buildings at Yale University. In 1934, Lydia Langer ran for North Dakota Governor after her husband had been removed from office. Although she lost, Bill Langer won the governorship again in 1936.
Mimi was born in Bismarck on September 14, 1924, and attended Bismarck schools until her father was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a child of the Depression and the tumultuous politics in North Dakota in the '20s and '30s, Mimi's family life revolved around her father's colorful career. She remembered a family conference to decide who would go out in public first after her father had been removed from office as well as a common family practice of turning off the car to coast down hills to save gas. Despite the turmoil of the times, she had a busy and happy childhood, filled with escapades and lifelong friendships.
After her father was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. There Mimi enrolled in Holton Arms School for Girls, from which she graduated in 1942. She attended George Washington University and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority there, but her heart was always with Holton. She was lucky enough to learn under the legendary "Miss Brown," whose stern but caring attention made education come alive for Mimi.
Mimi met Frank when she was out with a fellow she only ever referred to as "the silent wonder," a lovely man who was exceedingly quiet. Frank called her afterwards for a date, and they were married two years later on October 7, 1944, just three weeks after Mimi's twentieth birthday. They moved to an apartment in Arlington, VA, while Frank finished his service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the torpedo factory in Alexandria, VA. They later moved to New York City and on to St. Paul, Minnesota, for six years before moving permanently to Fargo in 1953.
Fargo voters, at least the community leaders at that time, were not Langer supporters. There were some struggles in their early Fargo years because of her father's politics, but as time went on, Mimi and Frank made lifelong friends and loved living in Fargo.
Mimi was a charter and founding member of the Fargo Service League, which became the Fargo Junior League. She was an editor of the Junior League newsletter and active in numerous Junior League activities, including Next to New Sales and the Red Bandana Follies (which featured both the Republican Congressman Mark Andrews and Democratic Senator Quentin Burdick). She also served on the boards of United Fund and Children's Village/Family Service, was a member of the DAR, and President of the F-M Contract Bridge League. She also found time to be a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls troop leader.
Although Mimi left college to marry, she earned a different but just as meaningful degree when she proudly achieved the level of Silver Life Master of the Contract Bridge League. She was a member of two bridge clubs in Fargo, one of which lasted almost 50 years, and she was an avid participate in tournaments throughout the Midwest and Canada.
Mimi and Frank loved to go dancing, dress up for a dinner out, and have fun with friends. They also traveled extensively after their children were grown. While Mimi claimed she was always happiest in Fargo playing bridge, Frank wanted to see the world, mostly by water. They took numerous trips with their bridge club and others on their own including a trip around the world on the QE II. In 1987, Mimi and Frank took their boat, the Dichotomy, on a month-long trip from Rhode Island, where it was built, down the east coast of New York, around Manhattan, up the Hudson River, through 75 locks on the Erie and Oswego Canals and the Trent-Severn Waterway, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Madeline Island in western Lake Superior. For over 50 years, they spent summers at their beloved cottage on Madeline, one of the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. Like everything else in Mimi's life, their cottage was full of personality. Later, they also wintered in Jupiter, Florida.
Mimi was a fun, feisty, resilient woman with courage and grit. She was a true "people person" with the outgoing personality of her father and the warmth and charm of her mother. She had a sincere interest in people from all walks of life, and she was a master at drawing them out and learning their stories. She made friends wherever she went, and she mentored many young women, even though she probably didn't realize she was doing it. Her stories about her childhood and the many people she knew are family legends.
Mimi leaves four children: Ann Gokey Humphrey of Bethesda, Maryland (Thomas Humphrey), William Langer Gokey of Minot (Susan Flickinger Gokey) Franklyn Guy (Snyder) Gokey of Fargo (Mary Jordheim Gokey), and Timothy Charles Gokey of Oyster Bay Cove, NY (Michelle Elliott Gokey). In addition she leaves ten grandchildren who adored her stories and sometimes spicy humor, and seven great grandchildren who, unfortunately, will only know her by reputation. She also leaves her younger sister, Cornelia Langer Reis of New York City, her cousin, Helen Langer Smith, and her beloved cat, Brother.
Her family expresses deepest appreciation to the several Doves who enriched her last years with loving care, good humor, and good cooking, especially Amanda Martens, who was with her for fourteen years, Darlene Krogh, Cheryl Jordahl, Daphne Graf, and Kay Lewis. There will be a private service for her later in June.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND
Mimi was born in Bismarck on September 14, 1924, and attended Bismarck schools until her father was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a child of the Depression and the tumultuous politics in North Dakota in the '20s and '30s, Mimi's family life revolved around her father's colorful career. She remembered a family conference to decide who would go out in public first after her father had been removed from office as well as a common family practice of turning off the car to coast down hills to save gas. Despite the turmoil of the times, she had a busy and happy childhood, filled with escapades and lifelong friendships.
After her father was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. There Mimi enrolled in Holton Arms School for Girls, from which she graduated in 1942. She attended George Washington University and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority there, but her heart was always with Holton. She was lucky enough to learn under the legendary "Miss Brown," whose stern but caring attention made education come alive for Mimi.
Mimi met Frank when she was out with a fellow she only ever referred to as "the silent wonder," a lovely man who was exceedingly quiet. Frank called her afterwards for a date, and they were married two years later on October 7, 1944, just three weeks after Mimi's twentieth birthday. They moved to an apartment in Arlington, VA, while Frank finished his service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the torpedo factory in Alexandria, VA. They later moved to New York City and on to St. Paul, Minnesota, for six years before moving permanently to Fargo in 1953.
Fargo voters, at least the community leaders at that time, were not Langer supporters. There were some struggles in their early Fargo years because of her father's politics, but as time went on, Mimi and Frank made lifelong friends and loved living in Fargo.
Mimi was a charter and founding member of the Fargo Service League, which became the Fargo Junior League. She was an editor of the Junior League newsletter and active in numerous Junior League activities, including Next to New Sales and the Red Bandana Follies (which featured both the Republican Congressman Mark Andrews and Democratic Senator Quentin Burdick). She also served on the boards of United Fund and Children's Village/Family Service, was a member of the DAR, and President of the F-M Contract Bridge League. She also found time to be a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls troop leader.
Although Mimi left college to marry, she earned a different but just as meaningful degree when she proudly achieved the level of Silver Life Master of the Contract Bridge League. She was a member of two bridge clubs in Fargo, one of which lasted almost 50 years, and she was an avid participate in tournaments throughout the Midwest and Canada.
Mimi and Frank loved to go dancing, dress up for a dinner out, and have fun with friends. They also traveled extensively after their children were grown. While Mimi claimed she was always happiest in Fargo playing bridge, Frank wanted to see the world, mostly by water. They took numerous trips with their bridge club and others on their own including a trip around the world on the QE II. In 1987, Mimi and Frank took their boat, the Dichotomy, on a month-long trip from Rhode Island, where it was built, down the east coast of New York, around Manhattan, up the Hudson River, through 75 locks on the Erie and Oswego Canals and the Trent-Severn Waterway, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Madeline Island in western Lake Superior. For over 50 years, they spent summers at their beloved cottage on Madeline, one of the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. Like everything else in Mimi's life, their cottage was full of personality. Later, they also wintered in Jupiter, Florida.
Mimi was a fun, feisty, resilient woman with courage and grit. She was a true "people person" with the outgoing personality of her father and the warmth and charm of her mother. She had a sincere interest in people from all walks of life, and she was a master at drawing them out and learning their stories. She made friends wherever she went, and she mentored many young women, even though she probably didn't realize she was doing it. Her stories about her childhood and the many people she knew are family legends.
Mimi leaves four children: Ann Gokey Humphrey of Bethesda, Maryland (Thomas Humphrey), William Langer Gokey of Minot (Susan Flickinger Gokey) Franklyn Guy (Snyder) Gokey of Fargo (Mary Jordheim Gokey), and Timothy Charles Gokey of Oyster Bay Cove, NY (Michelle Elliott Gokey). In addition she leaves ten grandchildren who adored her stories and sometimes spicy humor, and seven great grandchildren who, unfortunately, will only know her by reputation. She also leaves her younger sister, Cornelia Langer Reis of New York City, her cousin, Helen Langer Smith, and her beloved cat, Brother.
Her family expresses deepest appreciation to the several Doves who enriched her last years with loving care, good humor, and good cooking, especially Amanda Martens, who was with her for fourteen years, Darlene Krogh, Cheryl Jordahl, Daphne Graf, and Kay Lewis. There will be a private service for her later in June.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND
Mary Langer Gokey, of Fargo, Mimi to her many friends, died May 28, 20023, after a long and active life. She was the wife of the late Franklyn Charles Gokey and the third of the four daughters of U.S. Senator William Langer and Lydia Cady Langer. Her father was elected North Dakota Attorney General before she was born. He served two terms as Governor of North Dakota in 1932 and 1936 and served three terms in the U. S. Senate, from 1940 to 1960. In his final campaign, he carried every county in the state. Her mother, Lydia Cady Langer, was the daughter of prominent New York City architect J. Cleveland Cady, who designed the original Metropolitan Opera, the American Natural History Museum in New York City and numerous buildings at Yale University. In 1934, Lydia Langer ran for North Dakota Governor after her husband had been removed from office. Although she lost, Bill Langer won the governorship again in 1936.
Mimi was born in Bismarck on September 14, 1924, and attended Bismarck schools until her father was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a child of the Depression and the tumultuous politics in North Dakota in the '20s and '30s, Mimi's family life revolved around her father's colorful career. She remembered a family conference to decide who would go out in public first after her father had been removed from office as well as a common family practice of turning off the car to coast down hills to save gas. Despite the turmoil of the times, she had a busy and happy childhood, filled with escapades and lifelong friendships.
After her father was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. There Mimi enrolled in Holton Arms School for Girls, from which she graduated in 1942. She attended George Washington University and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority there, but her heart was always with Holton. She was lucky enough to learn under the legendary "Miss Brown," whose stern but caring attention made education come alive for Mimi.
Mimi met Frank when she was out with a fellow she only ever referred to as "the silent wonder," a lovely man who was exceedingly quiet. Frank called her afterwards for a date, and they were married two years later on October 7, 1944, just three weeks after Mimi's twentieth birthday. They moved to an apartment in Arlington, VA, while Frank finished his service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the torpedo factory in Alexandria, VA. They later moved to New York City and on to St. Paul, Minnesota, for six years before moving permanently to Fargo in 1953.
Fargo voters, at least the community leaders at that time, were not Langer supporters. There were some struggles in their early Fargo years because of her father's politics, but as time went on, Mimi and Frank made lifelong friends and loved living in Fargo.
Mimi was a charter and founding member of the Fargo Service League, which became the Fargo Junior League. She was an editor of the Junior League newsletter and active in numerous Junior League activities, including Next to New Sales and the Red Bandana Follies (which featured both the Republican Congressman Mark Andrews and Democratic Senator Quentin Burdick). She also served on the boards of United Fund and Children's Village/Family Service, was a member of the DAR, and President of the F-M Contract Bridge League. She also found time to be a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls troop leader.
Although Mimi left college to marry, she earned a different but just as meaningful degree when she proudly achieved the level of Silver Life Master of the Contract Bridge League. She was a member of two bridge clubs in Fargo, one of which lasted almost 50 years, and she was an avid participate in tournaments throughout the Midwest and Canada.
Mimi and Frank loved to go dancing, dress up for a dinner out, and have fun with friends. They also traveled extensively after their children were grown. While Mimi claimed she was always happiest in Fargo playing bridge, Frank wanted to see the world, mostly by water. They took numerous trips with their bridge club and others on their own including a trip around the world on the QE II. In 1987, Mimi and Frank took their boat, the Dichotomy, on a month-long trip from Rhode Island, where it was built, down the east coast of New York, around Manhattan, up the Hudson River, through 75 locks on the Erie and Oswego Canals and the Trent-Severn Waterway, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Madeline Island in western Lake Superior. For over 50 years, they spent summers at their beloved cottage on Madeline, one of the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. Like everything else in Mimi's life, their cottage was full of personality. Later, they also wintered in Jupiter, Florida.
Mimi was a fun, feisty, resilient woman with courage and grit. She was a true "people person" with the outgoing personality of her father and the warmth and charm of her mother. She had a sincere interest in people from all walks of life, and she was a master at drawing them out and learning their stories. She made friends wherever she went, and she mentored many young women, even though she probably didn't realize she was doing it. Her stories about her childhood and the many people she knew are family legends.
Mimi leaves four children: Ann Gokey Humphrey of Bethesda, Maryland (Thomas Humphrey), William Langer Gokey of Minot (Susan Flickinger Gokey) Franklyn Guy (Snyder) Gokey of Fargo (Mary Jordheim Gokey), and Timothy Charles Gokey of Oyster Bay Cove, NY (Michelle Elliott Gokey). In addition she leaves ten grandchildren who adored her stories and sometimes spicy humor, and seven great grandchildren who, unfortunately, will only know her by reputation. She also leaves her younger sister, Cornelia Langer Reis of New York City, her cousin, Helen Langer Smith, and her beloved cat, Brother.
Her family expresses deepest appreciation to the several Doves who enriched her last years with loving care, good humor, and good cooking, especially Amanda Martens, who was with her for fourteen years, Darlene Krogh, Cheryl Jordahl, Daphne Graf, and Kay Lewis. There will be a private service for her later in June.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND
Mimi was born in Bismarck on September 14, 1924, and attended Bismarck schools until her father was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a child of the Depression and the tumultuous politics in North Dakota in the '20s and '30s, Mimi's family life revolved around her father's colorful career. She remembered a family conference to decide who would go out in public first after her father had been removed from office as well as a common family practice of turning off the car to coast down hills to save gas. Despite the turmoil of the times, she had a busy and happy childhood, filled with escapades and lifelong friendships.
After her father was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. There Mimi enrolled in Holton Arms School for Girls, from which she graduated in 1942. She attended George Washington University and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority there, but her heart was always with Holton. She was lucky enough to learn under the legendary "Miss Brown," whose stern but caring attention made education come alive for Mimi.
Mimi met Frank when she was out with a fellow she only ever referred to as "the silent wonder," a lovely man who was exceedingly quiet. Frank called her afterwards for a date, and they were married two years later on October 7, 1944, just three weeks after Mimi's twentieth birthday. They moved to an apartment in Arlington, VA, while Frank finished his service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the torpedo factory in Alexandria, VA. They later moved to New York City and on to St. Paul, Minnesota, for six years before moving permanently to Fargo in 1953.
Fargo voters, at least the community leaders at that time, were not Langer supporters. There were some struggles in their early Fargo years because of her father's politics, but as time went on, Mimi and Frank made lifelong friends and loved living in Fargo.
Mimi was a charter and founding member of the Fargo Service League, which became the Fargo Junior League. She was an editor of the Junior League newsletter and active in numerous Junior League activities, including Next to New Sales and the Red Bandana Follies (which featured both the Republican Congressman Mark Andrews and Democratic Senator Quentin Burdick). She also served on the boards of United Fund and Children's Village/Family Service, was a member of the DAR, and President of the F-M Contract Bridge League. She also found time to be a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls troop leader.
Although Mimi left college to marry, she earned a different but just as meaningful degree when she proudly achieved the level of Silver Life Master of the Contract Bridge League. She was a member of two bridge clubs in Fargo, one of which lasted almost 50 years, and she was an avid participate in tournaments throughout the Midwest and Canada.
Mimi and Frank loved to go dancing, dress up for a dinner out, and have fun with friends. They also traveled extensively after their children were grown. While Mimi claimed she was always happiest in Fargo playing bridge, Frank wanted to see the world, mostly by water. They took numerous trips with their bridge club and others on their own including a trip around the world on the QE II. In 1987, Mimi and Frank took their boat, the Dichotomy, on a month-long trip from Rhode Island, where it was built, down the east coast of New York, around Manhattan, up the Hudson River, through 75 locks on the Erie and Oswego Canals and the Trent-Severn Waterway, across Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Madeline Island in western Lake Superior. For over 50 years, they spent summers at their beloved cottage on Madeline, one of the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. Like everything else in Mimi's life, their cottage was full of personality. Later, they also wintered in Jupiter, Florida.
Mimi was a fun, feisty, resilient woman with courage and grit. She was a true "people person" with the outgoing personality of her father and the warmth and charm of her mother. She had a sincere interest in people from all walks of life, and she was a master at drawing them out and learning their stories. She made friends wherever she went, and she mentored many young women, even though she probably didn't realize she was doing it. Her stories about her childhood and the many people she knew are family legends.
Mimi leaves four children: Ann Gokey Humphrey of Bethesda, Maryland (Thomas Humphrey), William Langer Gokey of Minot (Susan Flickinger Gokey) Franklyn Guy (Snyder) Gokey of Fargo (Mary Jordheim Gokey), and Timothy Charles Gokey of Oyster Bay Cove, NY (Michelle Elliott Gokey). In addition she leaves ten grandchildren who adored her stories and sometimes spicy humor, and seven great grandchildren who, unfortunately, will only know her by reputation. She also leaves her younger sister, Cornelia Langer Reis of New York City, her cousin, Helen Langer Smith, and her beloved cat, Brother.
Her family expresses deepest appreciation to the several Doves who enriched her last years with loving care, good humor, and good cooking, especially Amanda Martens, who was with her for fourteen years, Darlene Krogh, Cheryl Jordahl, Daphne Graf, and Kay Lewis. There will be a private service for her later in June.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND
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