Marie Stock

Marie V. Stock, 88, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Marie Gjerde was born on July 11, 1922 to Reverend R. S. and Sigrid Gjerde in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended school in Grand Forks, ND, Pasadena, CA, and Lynden, WA where she was confirmed. Her father’s work with the Lutheran Brethren Church took them to Fergus Falls where she attended and graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. She continued her education at Fairview School of Nursing in Minneapolis. On November 11, 1942, she married Henry T. Stock in Fergus Falls. They farmed in Western Township where their five children were raised. She worked as a nurse at the State Hospital and later as a labor and delivery nurse at Lake Region Hospital. In their retirement years Marie and Henry spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona. “Mia”, as she was known by many who knew and loved her, was devoted to her family. She was an excellent bread baker and quilter, and shared her talents with her family and friends who were often the recipients of her generous spirit. Marie was an active member of her community, participating in the Homemakers Group of Western Township, the Birthday Group, and Quilters Club. She served as a 4-H Leader and Sunday School teacher. She was a 60 year member of the Western Presbyterian Church. Preceding her in death were her parents, two sisters, Lois Gjerde and Ruth Gilbertson, and a grandson, Matthew Stock. Survivors include her husband, Henry; four daughters: Mary Ellen Johnson of Burnsville, Norma Jean (Stan) Shaw of Santa Barbara, CA, Diane (Bradley) Miller of Pequot Lakes, and Jane Marie (Cornel) Walker of San Antonio, TX; a son, David (Deborah) Stock of Fergus Falls; 12 grandchildren: Stephen and Christopher Johnson, Dana Hedin, Brian and Eric Miller, Sydney Gardner and Stanford Shaw, Leisha Coleman, Jennifer Frank and Justin Stock, Maria Ibarra and Charles Steen; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Bettee Woodburn of California; a brother, Robert (Bonnie) Gjerde of California; four sisters-in-law:  Florence Stock, Pat Stock, and Joyce Stock, all of Fergus Falls, and LaVerne Mieska of Northfield, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011, at Western Presbyterian Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend John Lindholm Interment: Western Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice, Western Presbyterian Church, or the donor’s choice.