Mary Jean "MJ" Nottveit, 65, of Hettinger, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger.


She was born January 6, 1946, in Hettinger, ND, to Oscar Conrad and Fern Alice (Bohne) Nottveit. She grew up on the family farm near Haynes, ND, and attended school at Haynes graduating in 1963 as Valedictorian. She received a B. A. from Colorado State College in 1967, a M. A. in library science from the University of Denver in 1969, and a Ph. D. in communications from the University of Iowa in 1980. She taught high school for one year in Rawlings, WY, and later at the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN.


She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in in 1976 and due to her health retired in 1983.


Since 1997 she has lived at Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger.


She enjoyed cats and listening to books on tape.


She is survived by her sister, Jeanette N. (Robert) Williams, Rochester, MN; niece, Sandee R. Williams, Eden Prairie, MN; nephew, Scott N. Williams (Christi) and family, Lauren and Nolan, all of Minneapolis, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.


According to her advance directive, she was cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, North Central States Chapter, or another charity.


A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 10 December, 2011, at 2:00 pm at the Hettinger Lutheran Church.