Mary Lou Hartje passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the Griggs County Care Center, Cooperstown, ND.

Mary Lou Hunter was born in Crystal, ND on May 31, 1931, to Elliott “Dike” and Flossie (Fly) Hunter. She attended the Crystal Public School.

 She was a member of the Hensel Methodist Church and then went back to the Crystal Methodist Church later in life.  She was a treasurer of the Hensel Church for 25 years until closing.  She was a leader of the Youth Fellowship, and a Sunday School Teacher.

Mary Lou married Glenn Hartje on December 31, 1948 at the Federated Church in Grand Forks with Rev. Dukes officiating.   In 1949, Glenn moved Mary Lou from Crystal to the farm west of Hensel, where she remained until 2016. In 2016 Mary Lou entered Borg Memorial Home in Mountain, ND and then in 2019 she entered Griggs County Care Center, Cooperstown, ND.

 Mary Lou helped Glenn with the farming operation along with working at Borg Pioneer Memorial Home for four years and the Pembina County Hospital for three years.

 Mary Lou’s door was always open for her friends and family, where she was sure to have the coffee on and cookies to serve. She always enjoyed having company and was involved with a card group, called the LOL (LADIES OF LEISURE).  She enjoyed being outdoors especially on the lawn mower and attending to her flowers.

Mary Lou has been in the Hensel and Crystal area, nearly all her life.  She spent several winters with her daughter Glenna and Doug in Streeter. 

She is survived by her daughters, Wanda Chernenko, Bismarck, ND and Glenna (Douglas Wittmier) Hartje, Streeter, ND and a nephew Larry (Jan) Hartje of Phoenix, AZ    Grandchildren: Kristin (Jeff) Martian Bismarck, ND and Kyle (Rachel) Spitzer Hensel, ND   Great Grandchildren:  Reegan, Fulton and Avery Martian; Gabbie, Paxton and baby (coming in April 2021) Spitzer.   Sister: Donna Anderson, Nampa, ID.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Glenn on April 11, 2004; son-in law, Harry Chernenko; sisters, Lola Boese and Anna O’Dell.

A private funeral service will be held at the Crystal United Methodist Church. A public visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Masks and social distancing are required.