Mary M. Subart

Mary Subart, 82, Robinson, died peacefully May 27, 2012, at the Baptist Home in Bismarck, where she had resided since March 2012. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 2, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Robinson, with Rev. Valerie Kinlan officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Robinson. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Mary was born on Nov. 9, 1929, in Woodworth, where a local country doctor lived at the time. She was the first child of Arthur and Mabel Bon of Robinson. Born 16 days after the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 and growing up during the Depression and World War II, Mary worked alongside her parents on their farm south of Robinson, doing fieldwork and raising livestock, as well as learning domestic skills, such as cooking, sewing and gardening. As a young child she and her family lived with her paternal grandparents, Francis Frank and Mary Bon. She enjoyed spending time with them, learning to recite verses of poetry and sing church hymns. In 1933, Mary, her parents and infant brother, Fred, moved to their own farm south of Robinson. Mary received her elementary education at a country school in Quinby School District and graduated from Robinson Public High School in 1946. She attended Jamestown College in 1947, transferred to Valley City State Teachers College in 1948, and received her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1950. Mary taught elementary school in Grand Forks and later worked in Williston at a bank, as well as at a construction company in Williston and Grand Forks. On Oct. 17, 1954, Mary and Joe Subart were united in marriage at Bethany Lutheran Church in Robinson. They farmed north of Robinson, raising crops and livestock until their retirement in 1985. Mary was instrumental in the operation of the farm. She was a tenacious businesswoman, investor and farmwife, who was as comfortable working cattle, driving tractors and unloading grain trucks as she was consulting with stock brokers or developing estate planning strategies. In her home and community, Mary was known for her quiet determination, her gentle love of others and willingness to listen or help whenever needed. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church Women, was a 4-H club leader, Sunday School teacher and a substitute teacher at local schools. In 1990 Mary was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and in 2000 suffered a stroke that slowed her down. Her spirit, however, never wavered and she continued to bring joy and inspiration to her family and friends. She continued to live in her house on the family farm until just prior to her death, thanks to assistance provided by several local caregivers. Mary is survived by her four children, Richard Carolyn Subart, Jamestown; Anne Subart Steve Scherbenske, Aurora, CO.; James Peggy Subart, Rollingstone, MN.; and Robert Margaret Subart, Robinson. Her grandchildren include Alexander Subart, West Fargo, N.D.; Erik and Sawyer Scherbenske, Aurora, CO; Jennifer Subart, Sioux Falls, SD, Christopher and Michelle Subart, Rollingstone, MN; and Paul, Aaron and Lucas Subart, Robinson. She has one brother, Fred Alice Bon, Steele, N.D. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Subart, and her parents Arthur and Mabel Bon, all of Robinson.

Mary M. Subart

November 9, 1929 - May 27, 2012