Mary Elizabeth Exner

Mary Elizabeth Exner, 91, Jamestown, ND, died Friday, December 19, 2008, in her home, surrounded by her family and with the support of Jamestown Hospice.

A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Monday, December 22, 2008 in St. James Basilica. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in St. James Basilica. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Donegan was born on August 19, 1917 in Plankinton, SD, eldest child of James and Marie (Dunn) Donegan. She began her education in the Plankinton schools before moving with her family to Edgeley, ND, in 1932 where her family farmed. Her marriage to James John Exner took place on November 18, 1937, in the Church of the Transfiguration at Edgeley and they resided there until moving to Bismarck, ND in 1938. Mary and Jim moved to Jamestown in 1943 where they made their home and raised their family.

Mary was a devoted wife and mother of nine children, eight of whom survive her. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, St James Tabernacle Society of which she was president repeatedly over a number of years, Immaculate Conception Circle, Church Women United and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Auxiliary. Mary was also a charter board member of FACE at St. John's Academy, a parent and supporter of students at St. John's Academy since 1946, and a member of the Jamestown Hospital Auxiliary.

After raising her family, she felt privileged to take on the task as housekeeper at St. James Rectory from 1978 to 1995.

Mary is survived by 5 daughters and 3 sons: Sharon M. Gerhart, Cedar Ridge, CA; James P. (Carolyn) Exner, Jamestown, ND; Marlene A. Rose, Littleton, CO; Robert J. (Bonnie) Exner, Houston, TX; Mary Jean (Michael) McCartney, Breckenridge, MN; Joseph R. (Claire) Exner, Morris, MN; Joan E. Exner, Jamestown, ND; Margaret R. (Dennis) Exner-Wieszcholek, Littleton, CO.

Grandma Mary had 21 grandchildren: Michael (Valencia) Gerhart; Laura Gerhart; Steven Gerhart; David (Jana) Exner; James M. Exner; Mary Jo Gerber; Beth (Trent) Woolford; Susan (Michael) Lucy; Jonathan Rose; Shawn Exner; Molly (David) McCartney-Jeffries; Thomas McCartney; Maureen (Jesse) Tischer; Janson (Cory) Exner-Borgen; Johnny Exner; Abby Exner; Caitlin Coghlan; Phillip Coghlan; Patrick Coghlan; Renee Wieszcholek; Tessa Wieszcholek. She had 15 great grandchildren: Tyrel and Katie Exner; Seth, Sawyer and Spencer Suko and Josie Gerber; Kajsa and Dallin Woolford; Jackson and Cole Lucy; Francis and Maire Eva McCartney-Jeffries; Andrew and William Tischer; Taylor Borgen.

Three brothers and two sisters also survive Mary: Francis J. (Rita) Donegan, Jamestown, ND; Robert A. (Audrey) Donegan, Jamestown, ND; Patricia (Donald) McCommon, Jamestown, ND; Priscilla Gilman; Auburn, WA; Victor Donegan, Pueblo, CO; sister in law, Delores (Bud) Donegan-Noecker; brother in law, Leonard Richards, Kent, WA; and sister in law, Margaret Exner, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Numerous friends and relatives including special friend, Jane Cross-Cella, Eden Park, MN, also survive Mary.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James J. Exner; son, Jerome D. Exner; parents, James M and Marie Donegan; 2 brothers, James W. Donegan and Donald R. Donegan; 2 sisters, Dorothy Donegan and Janice Richards.