Magdalene Vetter

Magdalene “Maggie” Vetter, 99, Bismarck, was called home to our Heavenly Father on April 15, 2024 at Benedictine Living Community in Bismarck. Maggie lived her life as a devout Catholic and the matriarch of her family.

Maggie, third child of Elias and Agnes (Braun) Volk, was born on January 8^th, 1925. She grew up on the family farm in Raleigh and played an instrumental role in raising and caring for the family. She would have made an AWESOME nurse.

On December 3^rd, 1940, Maggie married John K. Vetter. Together they raised 12 children. Four daughters, LaVonne, Diane, Dorinda “Toots”,  and Debra. Eight sons, Raymond, Eugene, Roger, Joseph, Edwin, Sherman, Urban, and Stanley.  Maggie and John started their family in Shields and when they moved to their farm in Raleigh their family expanded. From there they moved to St. Gertrudes in 1959. She cooked for the school for 12 years and was known for her famous brownies. She was also known as the local barber and seamstress. Maggie was a hands-on mother and included her children when cleaning the school and gardening. She was the pitcher when playing softballball, watched all-star wrestling and Tom Jones, and attended her children’s events. After Johns passing in 1971, Maggie moved to Bismarck and worked for Interiors by France. She enjoyed bowling, dancing and she was an avid card player. Her power games were pinochle and whist.

Maggie is survived by her children Gene (Nancy), Roger (Sandy), Joe (Kathy), Ed, Sherman (Julie), Diane, Toots (Leonard), Debbie, and daughter in-law Christine (Stan); 40 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren and 18 great great-grandchildren; sisters Sister Maria Volk, Lydia Braun, Angeline Braun, Theresa Schriock, Evelyn (Ervin) Miller, Valentina Bruington, Barbara Scheetz and her brother Adam; sister in law Clem Volk.

She is preceded in death by her husband John, (1971) parents Elias and Agnes (Braun) Volk, step mother, daughter LaVonne (1981) (George) Perdew, sons Raymond (2019), Urban (2011), Stanley (2016), daughter in-law Shirley (Ed) and 6 grandchildren; siblings Bud (Ann), Amandus, Fr. Ed, Eugene, Michael, Melchoir (Elaine), Leo, Anna (Gerry) Moran; in laws Pius and Adam Braun, Alan Schriock, Ernest Scheetz; parents in-laws George and Magdalene Vetter, Conrad (Theresa), Bernard (Agnes), Martha (Mike) Haider, Magdalena ((John) Bailey, Franciska (Ernest) Block, Josephine (Arthur) Fries, Helen (Frank) Blotske, George (Dorothy), Barbara   (John) Froelich, Elizabeth (Carlos) Wolfer.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Magdalene Vetter’s name to the Bismarck Cancer Center.