Elizabeth Maher

Elizabeth Maher, 92, Bismarck, died November 21, 2016, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 26, at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Wayne Sattler officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm Friday, November 25, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a rosary will begin at 6:30 pm followed by the vigil at 7:00 pm. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Elizabeth (Betty) Kenison Maher came into this world June 17, 1924, in Morristown, SD. After graduating from Morristown School Betty attended St. Alexius School of Nursing in Bismarck. While in Bismarck, she was encouraged by Jim Maher (her future father-in-law) to attend legislative sessions and learn about government. After finishing at St. A's she then joined the Cadet Corp at Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah, to care for wounded soldiers. From there she moved on to the Minnesota school of Public Health. On Sept. 3, 1946, her and John F. Maher, (brother of her best friend Mary Maher) were joined in holy matrimony. They lived on NDSU Campus for 4 years following World War II. While John was in school she worked as a city nurse in Fargo where Ken and Shannon were added to their very small living quarters. After moving to Bowman in 1951 she was part of the nursing staff on the opening day of St. Luke's hospital. Soon after she became the Bowman/Slope County health nurse. A position she held and cared deeply about for 25 years. Along with the many duties and traveling around the two counties country roads to all the schools, she was busy with civic, church, and the school activities of her four children and was always a part of John's baseball and other civic and business endeavors. After being so involved in serving the many different needs of the county in public health, her time spent observing the work of the State Legislature now manifested its effect on her. She became an advocate and promoter for Special Education and for nursing health preventions for infants, school children, adults and the elderly. She served on the ND Board of Mental Health and the ND State Lung Association. After moving to Mandan in 1979 she became the Executive Director of the ND State Nurses Association. During this time, she also attended the University of Mary and at age 60 she fulfilled her lifelong dream by earning her bachelors degree. As the Exec of the NDSNA she continued in her life's work of providing good healthcare by working as an advocate and lobbyist for the nursing profession. Her dedication and hard work were acknowledged through a number of awards and being inducted into the ND Nurses Hall of Fame. When John retired they started to travel more. They loved this land and history and visited many of the States. When Betty retired they wintered in Indio, CA where she was the co-pilot of the golf cart. In a short time, she was back to using her nursing skills taking care of John's many health needs. After John was gone, her role as the care-giver would slowly turn to the care-receiver. Sort of. For as she spent time with each of her kids, and enjoyed her life at Edgewood Vista in Bismarck and then her time at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center she was still always a nurse. Just as she "worked" the room at the NDSNA awards banquet, she "worked" the dining rooms and halls of where ever she was. Her smile was infectious, and as she was serving others all her life she made everyone know they were important and loved and appreciated! She is survived by her children: Son Ken, Indio, CA, and his daughter Angie and her son Owen; Daughter Shannon Schmit (Ken), Bowman, ND ,and their children, David (Marsha) Hutchinson, MN, their children, Justin, Daron, and Mahri Schmit and Nick, Andrew and Michael Hantge; Aaron (Kristal) Williston, ND, and their children, Sydney, Kennon, Ellie, Matthew, and Anna; Amy Meschke (Wade) Mandan, ND, and their children, Gabe, Keaton, and Makenna; Christopher (Jenna) Billings, MT and their son Tristan; and Derek (Kelli) Bismarck, ND, and their children Londyn and Elijah; Son Tim, Williston, ND, and his children, Jared (Beth) Fargo, ND and their children, Annabelle, Emmalise, John, and Sylvia; Jana Maher, Bismarck, ND , and Bailey Maher, Fargo, ND; and son Dan (Shannon) Wenatchee, WA and their Children, Tess (Andrew) Mesipika Kennewick, WA, MacDaniel, Aidan, Kenison, and Trinity. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Maher; parents ,Frank and Millie Kenison; one sister, Norma Dwyer; two brothers, Art and Jack Kenison; and grandson, James Maher.