Marie Nokes

OBITUARY Marie Caroline Backhus Nokes, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 7th. Wife of the late Vern Leon Nokes, Marie was born November 14,1918, in Mapleton MN to Henry and Adele Backhus. She was baptized January 5, 1919 by Rev. Paul Elsel. She was confirmed November 25th, 1934 by Rev. A. W. Scharfe at Saint John Lutheran in Mapleton, MN. After graduating valedictorian of the Mapleton High School class of 1935, she worked for Dr. Graham Howard. She was married to Vern Nokes on February 25, 1940 by Rev. A. W. Scharfe at Saint John Lutheran in Mapleton, MN. Nine children were born to this union. There are 23 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild. Surviving are her children & Their Place of Residency: Daughter, Sharon (Roger) Mailand, Seward NE; Sons: Lowell (Lorraine), Alexandria MN; Gary (Carolyn), Del Rio TX; Paul, Bellevue NE; Leslie (Debora), Elbow Lake MN; Dennis (Kathy), Seguin TX; Dale, Parkers Prairie MN; Keith (Jerlyn), Hayward CA. Grandchildren: Sharon: Michael (Diane) Mailand; Joel (Becca) Mailand; Raymond: Ronald and David Nokes, Tonya McDaniel; Bobbie Youtcheff; Julie and Ray Ogden; Gary: Doug (Jennifer) Nokes; Jerome (Melanie) Nokes; Jason Nokes; Paul: Paul (Jennifer) Nokes, Jr; Ryan Nokes; Leslie: Tina (Mike) Funkhouser, Neil Nokes, Lynn (Jessica) Nokes; Dennis: Amy Nokes Kowalski; Greg Nokes; Bryan McLaughlin, Dawn (Shannon) Standridge; Dale: Stephanie, Joshua (Stacey), and Andrew Nokes; Keith: Charles Nokes. Several great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Surviving also are her beloved sister, Shirley Ann Cichy, Alexandria MN; and sister-in-law and also her matron of honor, Ruth Nokes, Armstrong IA; several cousins and many nieces and nephews: Preceded in death: by her husband, Vern; son, Raymond and wife, Margie Nokes; her parents, Henry and Adele Backhus; a stillborn sister; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Nokes (Paul); former daughter-in-law, Donna Nokes; nephew, Roy Torgusen; and niece, Sheila Torgusen, nephew Lauren Harris, niece RaNee Nokes Barton. Marie was a Sunday school teacher for many years before and after her marriage in Mapleton MN and in Garfield. She served as Sunday school superintendent. She taught weekday school. She was active as a 4-H leader when her children were youngsters. She and her husband, Vern, were active in the Garfield Fire Department, where Marie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Marie served on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Island Camp, Henning MN. She was a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie served as Garfield Town Clerk and Ida Township Assessor for many years. She was a honorary member of the Garfield Fireman's Auxiliary, and a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie loved to write poetry. She has had a couple of poems printed in the local papers. Funeral services were held on Monday February 14, 2011 at Saint John Lutheran Church in Garfield with the Reverend Shawn Ethridge officiating. Nancy Anderson played the organ. Interment was in the church cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to: Saint John in Garfield, Garfield Fireman?s Auxiliary, Lutheran Island Camp in Henning MN, Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net