Mary Therese Herbeck
Mary Therese Herbeck, 91, of Grand Forks, passed away on Saturday, September 5th, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Mary (Dullea) was born on August 1st, 1929 in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Dwyer) Dullea. Mary graduated from Dilworth High School and later earned a Bachelor Degree in mathematics and a minor in psychology from NDAC (NDSU) in Fargo.
After college Mary worked in accounting at GMAC in Fargo for 3 years. It was in Fargo that Mary met her husband Donald Herbeck and they were married August 22, 1953 in Dilworth, MN. In 1958, Don and Mary moved from Fargo to Grand Forks where they would stay and raise their 8 children.
Mary’s Catholic faith was an important part of her life and she was an active member of St. Mary’s Church for almost 60 years. Mary was a talented pianist and for over 35 years she was an accompanist/organist for the weekend masses at St. Mary’s. She also played piano or organ for many weddings and funerals over the years. In addition, Mary accompanied mass at an eldercare facility and was active in altar society and liturgical committee. She was a strong supporter and volunteer with Birthright and Right to Life.
Mary was a generous and humble person always putting others’ needs before her own. She didn’t hesitate to help others in need, offering a ride or lending a hand to a neighbor. As a mother, she dedicated her days to caring for her family, cooking meals, washing diapers, mending clothes, clipping coupons and checking on her kid’s homework after school. Mary recycled and reused almost everything, long before it was popular. Clothes and toys were handed down but each child always got a homemade birthday cake on our birthday and every Christmas morning each stocking was filled with an orange and peanuts along with chocolate, candies and small gifts.
On Sunday, Mary made her delicious roast beef and potato dinner for 10 and might even make snickerdoodle cookies, an apple crisp or rhubarb cake (using fresh apples or rhubarb from the backyard). Raising eight kids on a postman’s salary, Mary could stretch a dollar better than anyone, filling in the gaps when needed by working as needed at various jobs. Mary taught her kids compassion and empathy for the less fortunate and to not covet material possessions.
Mary always had time for sharing a good laugh, having coffee with a friend and going out to lunch. She had a quick Irish wit and found humor in many everyday situations. She loved time spent at their lake cabin enjoying nature, sunrises and sunsets. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing rummy and going to the Senior Center for lunch and music.
Mary was a true angel here on earth - putting others before herself without complaining. A humble and faithful servant.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don and sister Anne (Lind). She is survived by her daughters, Jean (Chuck) Hughes, East Grand Forks, MN, Peg (Jim) DiPoto, Neenah, WI and Mary (Pete) Dwyer, Woodbury, MN; sons, Joe (Sue), Bloomington, MN, John (Liz), Hanover, MN, Jim (Kelly), Orange, CA, Dave (Gloria), Rochester, MN and Mike, Grand Forks, ND; 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A special thank you to the staff at Valley Senior Living Center on Columbia Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 216 Belmont Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201, Valley Senior Living, 2900 14th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201 or Grand Forks Senior Center, Grand Forks, ND.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 pm Saturday, September 12, 2020 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 5 to 7:00 pm Friday with a 6:30 pm rosary and a 7:00 pm vigil service at the church. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy on Saturday.
Burial: Calvary Cemetery North, Grand Forks, ND.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)