Mary Jane Seidel

Mary Jane Kraft Seidel went to meet her heavenly Father on December 21, 2014, at 11:00 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, December 27, at Church of St. Anne, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, December 26, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan. Mary Jane was born in McLaughlin, SD, on June 21, 1938, to Joe and Barbara Becker Kraft. The family farmed and lived near Maple Leaf, SD, for a time, then moved onto a farm 17 miles north of Selfridge, ND. She helped on the family farm, including milking cows, working in the fields, driving tractors and putting up hay, among many other tasks too numerous to mention. Mary Jane was educated in the Selfridge area, with the exception of one year of high school in Minot with her sister Marge, and one year of college at Bismarck Junior College in Bismarck. She worked for Robertson's Women's Clothing store for a number of years and also the state tax department. She met her husband, Norman, in 1960. They were married September 18, 1961, and lived in Bismarck for a time before moving to Riverdale in 1965. They have been residents of Riverdale for 49 years. Mary Jane worked for Garrison National Dam Fish Hatchery for a short time. However, family life, and raising four children soon gave way to being a stay-at-home mom while her husband, Norman, worked at the Garrison Hydro Power Plant in operations, retiring after 34 years. Mary Jane spent many summer days gardening, and canning, and enjoyed cooking family favorites. If ever you went away hungry from her home, "it was your own fault" was Mary Jane's favorite saying. Mary Jane enjoyed going on long walks and quilting was a favorite hobby. She made dozens of quilts while living in Riverdale. Norman called her Miss Mary the last few years of her life. A southern lady called her that when she would order fabrics for her quilting projects and the name stuck with her husband. She wrote the weekly Riverdale News column in the McLean County Independent newspaper for many years. Mary also drove the library bookmobile serving McLean County and served as bookkeeper for the Riverdale Volunteer Fire and Ambulance. Following the incorporation of Riverdale from a Corps owned town to a municipality, Mary Jane authored a book, "50 Years Riverdale", highlighting the building of the dam, but focusing on the town site of Riverdale and its first residents. She loved to play pinochle with anybody, mostly her siblings. She was a devout Catholic and a staunch supporter of her daughters being involved with the Riverdale High School, PTO and music club, school events, teaching religion class, and just being there to lend an ear. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Riverdale Catholic Alter Society. Mary Jane and Norman celebrated their 50th Golden Anniversary on September 18, 2011. Of this union, four daughters were born, Brenda Seidel, St. Louis, MO, Audrey and Kevin Kroll, Bismarck, Karen and Mark Dorsey, Sylacauga, AL, and Wendy and Jeremy Denning, Amarillo, TX. She is survived by her husband, Norman, Riverdale; her four daughters; eight grandchildren, Jamie Rodriguez, Lucas, Samuel and William Kroll, Hunter Dorsey, and Taegn, Ravyn, and Seidel Denning; eight siblings, Robert and Renae Kraft, Marge Kraft and Richard Jochim, WA, Shirley Kraft and Herb Schreiner, Shields, ND, Matt Kraft and Gary and Joyce Kraft, Minneapolis, MN, George and Linda Kraft, AZ, Ed and Renee Kraft, Bismarck, and Sandy Kraft and Roger Thomsen, Baldwin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Mary Jane will be dearly missed by all. She was a loving and giving mother and grandmother, her presence will be greatly missed.

Mary Jane Seidel

June 21, 1938 - December 21, 2014