Mary Ann (Niedringhaus) Lund, 75

Mary Ann (Niedringhaus) Lund, 75, of Kalispell, “changed her residence to heaven,” Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. She slipped away with her husband of 52 years by her side.

Born on Jan. 28, 1940, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Henry and Venetta (Clark) Niedringhaus, Mary Ann was the middle child and second daughter of five siblings. Growing up in the railroad town in Mobridge, South Dakota, Mary Ann loved being a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and participating in her high school where she was a cheerleader and accompanist for the school choir. It was at Mobridge High School that she met her future husband, Curtis Maynard Lund, son of the local Baptist pastor. After she caught his eye sitting next to him in study hall, she later “left her purse” at his house during a study group evening. Curt took it as a sign and asked her to the March of Dimes dance, and they began dating. She loved cheering him on as he played basketball.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Augustana College, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mary Ann worked as a registered nurse in Minneapolis. She and Curtis married on June 16, 1963, in Mobridge and they established their residence in Minnesota, adopting three children. A skilled homemaker, Mary Ann was devoted to her family and served as a longtime member of Ridgewood Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota. She loved making friends and nurturing those relationships. She had a weekly sewing group she attended, a group who became cherished friends.

She loved to serve others, and supported Curtis as he started his own CPA firm, Lund, Koehler, Cox, working as his office manager. Contemplating pulling up her roots of 30 years and moving to Kalispell when Curtis took a job as CEO of National Flood, she cheerfully said, “Let’s do it.”

She put down new roots in Kalispell, joining, then becoming, a group leader for her Bible study fellowship group. She enjoyed painting with watercolors and gifting her children and friends with her talent. When she joined Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish, it became her new church home. A gifted pianist, she loved accompanying Curtis when he sang solos and playing for the choir or offertory. She enjoyed filling her home with piano music and caring for her husband and family. After retirement, Mary Ann and Curtis traveled, both abroad and often to Minnesota to visit their children, attend football games, theater performances and holiday events. She was beloved by her grandchildren.

A strong woman of faith, Mary Ann always had a smile through any adversity, believing in her salvation, supporting missions and portraying her faith through her love for others. Those who knew her knew of her Christian faith and love for her Savior.

Mary Ann “is joining in heaven” her parents, Henry and Venetta Niedringhaus, and a nephew, Patrick Niedringhaus.

She leaves behind her husband of 52 years, Curtis M. Lund; three children and their spouses, Susan (Lund) and Andrew Warren, David and Dannette Lund, and Melissa (Lund) and Luke Wilson. She also will be missed by her 11 grandchildren, David, Sarah, Peter and Noah Warren, Ruth Ann, Ellie and Lydia Lund, Abby Knopick, Ashley Ince, and Jordan and Kalina Anderson; as well as three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her four siblings, the Rev. Donald Niedringhaus of Brandon, South Dakota, Marjorie Hanson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dr. Robert Niedringhaus of St. Paul, Minnesota, and John Niedringhaus of Enderlin, North Dakota.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937.

In lieu of memorials, gifts may be sent to Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic at Christ Lutheran Church.