Mae Whitmer

Arlene Mae Whitmer, 77, Medina, North Dakota passed away peacefully after a brave fight with cancer on November 11, 2007 at Innovis Health Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota.

Mae was born on July 27, 1930 near Medina, ND, the daughter of Adolph and Barbara (Moser) Eissinger. She was raised and educated in Medina. Mae was a long time member of the Zion United Church of Christ, where she was confirmed. She graduated from Valley City State Teacher's College and married Jim Whitmer in 1950. During the early years of their marriage she taught grade school in Streeter and Medina. Jim and Mae had three daughters. In 1962 she and her husband opened the Wagon Wheel Drive In in Jamestown, ND. They operated the Wagon Wheel for 20 years. After the sale of the business the couple returned to their farm near Medina. Following Jim's death in 1999, Mae remained on the family farm until recently moving to West Fargo.

Mae was an accomplished seamstress and creative crafter. She also loved flowers, gardening, reading and spending time with her family. Her grandsons will especially miss her chicken and dumpling dinners. She enjoyed sharing her sewing projects, embroidery and crafted gifts with family and friends. Her children and grandchildren received and treasured many handmade gifts. In addition to her craft hobbies she delighted in collecting bird and shoe figurines. Her membership in the Medina Red Hat Society gave her great joy, and many wonderful memories.

Mae is survived by her three daughters, Jayme and Bob Holmberg, Clinton, WA, Lanette and David Ludwig, Bismarck, ND and Marcy and Jon Nelson, West Fargo, ND; two grandsons, Christopher Ludwig, Bismarck, ND and Garrett Ludwig, Grand Forks, ND; one sister, Agnes Dammel, Medina, ND; one brother and sister-in-law, Gerry and Sandy Eissinger, Medina, ND; one sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Leo and Janet Wanzek, Fargo, ND; several nieces and nephews; her close friends, Vern and Shirley Jeannotte, Medina, ND and her little companion, her pet cat, Shorty.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Vivian Gaustad; and two brothers-in-law, George Gaustad and Reiney Dammel.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Thursday, November 15, 2007 at the Zion United Church of Christ in Medina, ND with Pastor Karl Limvere officiating.

Visitation: 1:00 to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at the Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.

Burial: Medina Cemetery, Medina, North Dakota

On line guestbook: www.eddyfuneralhome.com