Marie Loose

Marie Ellen (Papke, Miller) Loose, also known as Mom, Momma, Grandma, Great Grandma, Pinochle Gus , Rosa and friend to many passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.  Marie was totally at peace and ready for the next adventure.  Marie was born June 7, 1926 and was 94 years young, she lived every day to its fullest.  Marie loved to make people laugh and smile, it was very easy for her to accomplish this.  Over the last two months she was cared for by her family 24/7 and she was showered with love.  She passed away on Good Friday - April 2nd, 2021.

Marie cried her way into the world and lived with her parents Edward and Martha Papke and 12 siblings on a farm near Goodrich.  She was forced into child labor at an early age, working on the farm – she milked cows before school and then walked to school five miles uphill with hot potatoes in her pockets to keep warm – only to then walk uphill that same five miles home.   Marie shared many stories about her childhood with her family about shocking many acres of corn, threshing grain, going to county fairs, dancing up a storm, sneaking into the basement to sample the homemade beer, using the outhouse at school only to have her brother tip it over while she was in it and hiding her brother, Warren in the hills so he wouldn’t get a lickin.

Momma’s hard work ethic followed her into adulthood.  She gave birth to her five girls and five boys and raised them basically on her own.  She would be up to send the kids off to school, sewing all day long, and then worked at many clubs in town in the evening.  She provided her ten children with everything they needed while growing up.

Marie met and married Rodger Loose officially in 1981 after being together for about 15 years.  They loved to fish, hunt and go camping.  They travelled to Canada every year for a fishing and camping trip.  Marie was able to enjoy so many experiences and adventures that were impossible before Rodger came into her life and into the family.  Marie and Rodger opened Marie’s Bait Shop which kept them very busy.  Rodger passed away in May of 1994.  They have surely reunited already in heaven and are fishing on Lake Loose.   Marie was an excellent seamstress and she fulfilled a dream of opening Marie’s Bridal in downtown Jamestown.  She was able to put smiles on the faces of many brides and prom goers for many years.

She loved playing cards – Pinochle and Five Crowns were her favorite.  All card players soon learned she was very competitive at cards always wanting to win the bid and used many “choice names” for her fellow card players.  She was definitely a QUEEN of Hearts.

Marie would always say Thank-You, Be Kind, Do Your Best and she always shared a smile with everyone she met.

There will be no statues erected and no buildings named after Marie however, she leaves quite a legacy that she was so very proud of.   She is survived by nine of her children:  Bonnie (Robert) Deuitch, Mesa, AZ; Janet (Jim) Thomas, Mesa, AZ; Linda (Charles) Perry, Tacoma, WA; Victoria (John) Hokanson, Roseburg, OR; Douglas (Christina) Miller, Glendale, AZ; Karla (Donovan) Bachmeier; Kevin (Nancy) Miller; Randolph Miller; Scott (Julie) Miller, and daughter-in-law, Michelle Miller all of Jamestown, ND; and a bonus son from another mother,  Richard (Wanda) Miller, Eagle, ID; 23 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; brother Warren Papke, Bismarck; along with many nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Martha Papke; sisters Ellen, Lillie, Louise, Hazel, Betty, Lucille and Luella; brothers Clarence, Harry, Art, Roy; husband Rodger Loose; son Marlowe Miller; daughter-in-law Crystel Miller; and her little fur baby Gracie.

Always remember she would not want us to grieve for her but to be very happy that she is able to see all her family that passed before her, to see Rodger and especially to wrap her arms around her son Marlowe.  So there are no goodbyes – just until we meet again.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jamestown.

Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 12, 2021 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.

Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown.