Mary Lynn Deraas

Mary Lynn "Mel" Deraas, 49, passed away August 12, 2003 at her home following a lengthy illness. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, August 15, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Joel Winckler officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Oak Creek Cemetery, Bottineau. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 PM Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service where a prayer service will be held at 7:00. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Mary Lynn was born November 21, 1953 to Maurice and Loraine Jensen Deraas in Bottineau. She was raised on a farm near Bottineau. Mary Lynn attended grade school in Gardena, ND and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1971. She graduated from Mary College with a degree in social work. She was employed at MedCenter One for 16 years and most recently worked at the North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau. Mary Lynn was very active in the community. She was currently serving as a board member of the Burleigh-Morton Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Renal Network 11 Regional Kidney Board and the Bismarck Women's Softball Association. She volunteered countless hours to several community events including the Prairie Rose State Games, numerous national softball tournaments, the World Curling Tournament, and the World Horseshoe Tournament. One of her most rewarding achievements was with the Special Olympics where she coordinated many regional and state bowling tournaments as well as volunteering at other events. Mel loved sports, music, traveling, gardening and her family. She attended several Olympic events and participated in the Transplant Olympics in Greece, winning a silver medal. She was an avid Twins and Vikings fan and attended games at many pro stadiums throughout the country. She played softball, volleyball, horseshoes, bowling and pool. Her greatest joy was in watching her nieces and nephews compete in sports and various school activities. She will be deeply missed by all that were touched by her. The family wishes to give special thanks to the nurses and special friends that helped through her illness. Mary Lynn is survived by four sisters, Nancy Christenson of Bismarck, JoAnne Duane Cushing of Brookings, SD, Maureen Bruce Fischer of St. Michael, MN and Lisa Glenn Rucker of Sembach Air Force Base, Germany; four brothers, Ronald LeAnn Deraas of Bottineau, Kenneth Pat Deraas of Bismarck, Robert Barb Deraas of Davis, CA and Duane Bonnie Deraas of Cavalier, ND; many special nieces and nephews; and a very special friend Sue Lachenmeier of Bismarck. She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Loraine Deraas and an infant sister Marsha.

Mary Lynn Deraas

November 21, 1953 - August 12, 2003