Mary Elhard

In the early morning hours of Sunday, February 18, 2024, Marie ‘Mary’ Louise Elhard peacefully and quietly drifted into God’s arms while at her home in Bismarck, ND.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, Feb. 23, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Mary was born in Blackpool, England on July 11, 1941 to parents Leslie and Mary Collict. She was a fraternal twin to her brother, Brian. Growing up in Liverpool, she loved reading and going to school. She and her childhood friend, Elizabeth, shared many adventures while exploring the bombed-out buildings left behind after World War II. In fact, Mary’s childhood home was bombed and destroyed during the war. Mary completed her education at the age of 16 and subsequently moved to London where she worked various jobs to support herself. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Dennis, who was stationed in England with the US Air Force. The two were married in July 1962 at the High Wycombe Air Force base. The couple moved to North Dakota and ultimately made their permanent home in Bismarck, where they raised five children.

Mary always had an interest in the medical field and found work in Bismarck with Q&R Clinic as a member of the office staff. She also utilized cake decorating skills she learned in England and baked, decorated and sold an innumerable number of uniquely-themed birthday cakes and stunningly beautiful wedding cakes.  After the birth of her third child, Mary became a full-time homemaker, but still found time to continue her cake decorating business as well as work part-time at a local clothing/bridal shop. Several years later and still feeling the urge to work in the medical field, Mary attended phlebotomy classes and became a certified phlebotomist. For a short time, she worked as a laboratory technician at a local hospital. After her children had grown and moved away, Mary enjoyed volunteering with PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and read stories to their radio audience.

Throughout her life, Mary was active and always kept herself busy; and, no matter where she was or what she was doing, she was always singing. Her beautiful singing voice was loved by all who knew her, including her bird Churchill who used to sit on the arm of her glasses while she sang and whistled to him. She enjoyed meeting up with her friends for coffee and card games; also attending regular get-togethers with her lady friends from the British Club. When not working or taking care of her home and family, she learned to play darts; and, along with Dennis, joined a weekly dart league. Together, they attended and played in hundreds of tournaments – locally, regionally and nationally. In the family home, a dart board was hung next to the kitchen counter, which allowed for nightly dart games with Dennis.  

At home, Mary was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She always looked forward to the holidays, family get-togethers, and time spent playing with her grandchildren. She created many wonderful memories with her family; from camping trips & visiting extended family in Jud, to card games, board games, pool, and darts. Many of her and her family’s most cherished moments were the times spent drinking the never-ending cups of tea Mary always offered and made for her friends and family. 

Mary will be greatly missed by those who survive her: children, Bill (Lori) Elhard, Bismarck; Denise (Darin) Heinemeyer, Minneapolis; Jackie Elhard, Bismarck; and John (Olesya) Elhard, Minneapolis; sisters, Patricia Kruse and Joan (Andres) Revilla; and grandchildren, Anna and Brett Johnson, Harlie Heinemeyer, Nathan and Rebecca Rohrer, and William and Katherine Elhard.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Leslie and Mary; husband, Dennis; brothers Frank, James, Leslie, Brian and John; and her beloved daughter Louise Johnson.