Marian Schmidt, age 86, of Mott, ND, passed away on Friday evening, March 11, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Mott, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Mott, with Fr. Charles Zins officiating. Interment will be on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00 am CT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.

Visitation is on Wednesday from 4:30 - 7:00 pm, with a Rosary and Wake Service at 7:00 pm all at St. Vincent's Catholic Church.

Serving as Casketbearers are: Jesse Eng, Shayna Eng, Kristi Eng, Norman Schatz III, Taylor Schatz, Kendra Fiedler, Chelsea Fiedler, Jennifer Schmidt, Josh Wutzke, and Desi Wutzke. All of Marian's other grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews are considered Honorary Casketbearers.

MARIAN "MARY" KOCH was born November 6, 1929 near South Heart, ND to John and Katherine (Staudinger) Koch . She was born on her parents' farm and attended the local country school before moving to Richardton, ND. She met Jacob "Jake" Schmidt of Mott, ND and they were united in marriage on November 15, 1949 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Richardton. They began their life together on a farm south of Mott where they engaged in farming for 7 years. After selling their farming operation they owned and operated the Busy Bee gas station from 1956 to 1958. They sold that business and Jake went to work for H&J Implement as a mechanic. Jake and Marian went on to operate Jake's Towing until they retired in 1986.


Marian was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, St. Veronica's Court of the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA), and St. Joan's Circle of the Altar Society. Marian especially enjoyed her 8 children, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Marian also enjoyed canning and baking for her large family, hardanger cross stitch, playing tennis and playing cards. In their younger married years, Jake and Mary would go out on Friday nights, dancing to polkas and waltzes, and they didn't care where. In her later years, Marian worked at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, played tennis to keep active, and babysat for the younger generation in the city of Mott.


Marian is survived by her eight children: 4 daughters and 3 sons-in-law: Beverly Eng, Bismarck, ND; Marilyn (Rod) Rohrer, Moffit and Bismarck, ND; Evelyn (Leland) Fiedler, Vinita, OK; Susan (Scott) Newhall, Barryton, MI; 4 sons: Robert "Bob", Scottsdale, AZ; William "Bill", Mott, ND; Frank, Mott, ND; James "Jim", Barrigada, Guam; 15 grandchildren: Jesse (Lisa Liberda) Eng, Anthem, AZ; Shayna Eng, Bismarck, ND; Kristi Eng, Bismarck, ND; Norman Schatz III, Bismarck, ND; Taylor Schatz, Fargo, ND; Kendra Fiedler, Vinita, OK; Chelsea Fiedler, Vinita, OK; Jennifer Schmidt, Barrigada, Guam; Audrey, Ashley, Emily, Kailee, Louis, Holly, and Heavenleigh Newhall, Barryton, MI; 5 great grandchildren: Keeley McCrory, Bismarck, ND; Allison Eng, Liam Eng, Noah Eng, Anthem, AZ; and Kristi Eng's baby girl , due in June/July 2016; 2 sisters, Othilda"Tillie"(Leo) Hauck, Richardton/Dickinson, ND; Agnes Kemp, Lake Geneva, WI; and sister-in-law Mary Ann Koch, Albany, WI.



She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jacob "Jack-Jake", 4 brothers: Ted Koch, Leo Koch, Joseph Koch, Valentine Koch (died at age 8 at South Heart); 2 sisters: Pauline (Koch) Zent, Florence (Koch) Forster; brothers-in-law, Matt Zent, Leo Hauck, Norbert Forster, John Kemp; and son-in-law Duane Eng.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial to the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Alzheimer's Research. Memorials may be sent to: NARFE Alzheimer's Research, c/o Darlene Danielson, Chairperson, 3231 Crocus Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501