Mary Jo Kessel

Mary Jo Kessel’s spirit transcended her earthly body to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 4, 2025. Her three loving, albeit unconventional, children, along with her "husband-ish," Tom, surrounded her, hand-in-hand, praying, singing, laughing, and crying together as she took her final breaths. She had no fear.

A funeral vigil will be held on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service and rosary to follow at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, ND. Her cremains will be laid to rest in Belfield, ND, at the Catholic Cemetery, at a later date.

Mary Jo was born at home on December 9, 1953, in Edgeley, ND, to Mike and Frieda (Thom) Werlinger. She was the ninth child in a bustling household of twelve, and from the very start, Mary Jo brought a spark and spontaneity to the Werlinger clan. A natural-born storyteller with a flair for the dramatic in the best possible way, she had a magnetic presence that drew people in. Her mother often found herself laughing while recounting the latest “Mary Jo Adventure,” which quickly became legendary among friends and townsfolk alike.

Mary Jo took that same zest for life with her to Dickinson State College, where she earned her teaching degree - her life’s true vocation. It was there that she met Tom Kessel, a man who would become her partner in love, parenting, and spontaneous dancing in the kitchen. Mary Jo did not just fall in love - she loved boldly, fiercely, and unapologetically in her own beautifully unique way.

Together, she and Tom brought Destiny and Tomi into the world. Though the family moved frequently early on, it was in Fort Yates, ND, where Mary Jo established herself as a teacher, not just any teacher, but the kind who made students feel seen, heard, and inspired. Teaching was not her job; it was her superpower. She likely holds the record for Teacher of the Year, as well as costume and limbo contest wins.

Later came Alexander, the vivacious, baby-of-the-bunch who completed her family. Even after moving to Bismarck, Mary Jo continued to drive the long road to Fort Yates, never wavering in her belief that her purpose lived inside those classroom walls with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Bismarck became her forever home, a place where she sprinkled joy like confetti, whether in line at the grocery store or just passing someone on the sidewalk. She and Tom eventually went their separate ways but never let paperwork dictate family - holidays, birthdays, and travel adventures were always shared, always together.

Mary Jo was a Warrior Queen. She faced breast cancer with fire in her soul and laughter on her lips, beating it with a blend of faith, grit, and humor. Even then, she turned around and lifted others going through the same battle. Then, on Easter Sunday 2024, came another diagnosis - Stage 4 colon cancer. Nevertheless, Mary Jo did not flinch. “Bring it on,” was more her speed. She lived by the motto: the greater the struggle, the greater the life, and she lived it with every ounce of her being.

A devoted disciple of Christ, Mary Jo was the kind of believer who walked the talk of her faith. She worshipped wherever the Spirit led her, soaked up every Bible study she could find, and spread the Word with kindness and courage. She had an uncanny way of knowing when someone needed “a little more Jesus,” and she was always there to deliver - sometimes with prayer, sometimes with a hug, and often with a hearty laugh.

Mary Jo’s childlike sense of wonder facilitated her magical ability to connect with kids. She adored her children and was utterly smitten with her grandchildren - Drake, Laurel, and Sol. She bragged about them like it was a competitive sport, but the truth is, she lit up around every child. When a little one walked into the room, her face exuded pure, radiant joy.

Mary Jo did not simply enter a room - she changed the chemistry of it. Her laugh? Unmistakable and infectious. Her style? Impeccable. Her presence? Unforgettable. Whether she was twirling on a dance floor, singing off-key with conviction, or dragging her friends to one more party, she lived loud, loved hard, and made life an adventure. Even in her final year, through every appointment and chemotherapy session, her smile never dimmed. In fact, it often brightened the entire waiting room.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, David John and Timothy Werlinger; and her sister, Linda Opp.

She is survived by her children: Destiny (Chris) Belmont, Tomi Kessel (Ilia Gvozdenovic), and Alex Kessel; her grandchildren: Alex, Monte, Drake, and Laurel Belmont, and Aleksander Sol Kessel (Poland); two brothers, seven sisters, and a wildly loving extended family of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and her Jesus Jedi Kitty, each one held tightly in her enormous heart.

Mary Jo leaves behind a fierce love for her family, a deep and unwavering faith, a sharp and generous sense of humor, a boundless passion for teaching and children, and a sparkle and zest for life that lifted everyone around her.

In her memory, laugh and sing a little louder, hug a little tighter, dance a little longer - and never, ever miss an opportunity to show up with love.