Mary A. Kowcun

Mary A. Kowcun, 88, of Dickinson, died Monday, Dec.

19, 2011 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. 

Mary’s Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, Dec. 23,

2011 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson with Father Todd

Kreitinger celebrating. Interment follows at St. Patrick’s Cemetery

in Dickinson. Visitation was Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service.

There was rosary and vigil Thursday with Deacon Ron Keller

presiding.

Mary Ann Chornuk was born Dec. 15, 1923 at Fork

River, Manitoba, Canada, to Nicholas and Martha (Yaroslaski)

Chornuk. As an infant, Mary moved with her family to Scobey, Mont.,

where she was raised and attended school. Mary began working at an

early age and became a proficient cook and seamstress. She married

Anton Kowcun on May 30, 1947. Together they lived in Oregon and

Scobey, and finally settled in Polson, Mont. After Anton’s death

Mary began sewing items in order to support herself, in addition to

being a restaurant cook and later home health care provider. Upon

retirement she moved back to North Dakota to be closer to

family.

Mary enjoyed traveling and going deer and elk hunting

with Anton and their friends. She also enjoyed fishing, gardening

and playing cards. But telling jokes and socializing with family

and friends was special to her.

Mary is survived by two sisters, Ann Grosz, Dickinson

and Nellie (Steve) Grosz, Billings, Mont., one brother, Harry

(Linda) Chornuk, Watford City and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton, one

infant son and two brothers, Andrew and Ivan Chornuk and one

sister, Pauline Haverluk. In lieu of flowers the family requests

that a memorial be given to a charity of the donor’s choice in

Mary’s name. Arrangements are with Ladbury Funeral Service,

Dickinson, www.ladburyfuneralservice.com