Mary J. Heupel

Mary J. Heupel, 75, Medina, North Dakota died Friday, December 31, 2010 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, North Dakota.

Mary DeKrey was born October 27, 1935 in rural Pettibone, North Dakota daughter of Joe and Margaret (Dethloff) DeKrey. Her elementary education was in a country school. She graduated from Pettibone High School in 1952 and attended Jamestown College, graduating with a degree in music education in May 1956. On June 16, 1956, she married Raymond R. Heupel, Medina. Mary was a grade school teacher and music teacher in their early married years. She also taught many children how to play piano with lessons in her home and at a Woodworth church. She especially loved having her children and grandchildren play instruments and sing, in recitals and concerts, and for her in her home. She and Ray had 4 children and raised them on the Heupel family farm, rural Medina. She was a faithful and supportive farm wife. She was a community minded woman. She was a charter member of the Buzzin' Dozen Homemakers Club, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Medina Lions Club and the ND Cattlewomen's Association. She was the founder of \""Ag Days\"" in Medina. She invested her life in the youth by being a Busy Butterflies 4-H Club leader, a Sunday school teacher and superintendent. Her church was important to her as well. She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Medina, and served as church organist for many years, directed church choir, attended the morning Bible Study Fellowship, and was part of the Women's Fellowship. She attended many church conference meetings on behalf of her local congregation. She was also involved in the North Dakota Mental Health Association. In 1979, she was awarded the Bell Ringer Award.

Mary is survived by her husband, Raymond, Medina, ND; three daughters, Rebecca (Alvin) Reich, Medina, ND, Lavonne (Thomas) Horton, Fargo, ND, Teresa Heupel (Paul) Buckhaus, Hankinson, ND; one son, Joseph (Faye) Heupel, Medina, ND and 13 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Margaret DeKrey.

Funeral service: 1:00PM, Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at United Church of Christ, Medina, ND with Rev. Karl Limvere, officiating.

Visitation: 4:00 to 6:00PM, Monday, January 3 at Eddy Funeral Home.

Spring Burial: Medina Cemetery, Medina, ND.

On line guestbook: www.eddyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Jamestown Hospital

online guestbook www.eddyfuneralhome.com