Mary W. Hallquist, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away unexpectedly on May 9, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on April 27, 1941, in Frederic, Wisconsin, to Leroy and Elna (Korting) Wyatt, Mary was the middle child of three. Mary led a life dedicated to family, education, and service.
Graduating from Luck High School in 1959, along with her future husband, Morris; they were married at Luck Lutheran Church on Aug. 3, 1963, following Mary’s college graduation. They lived briefly in Winthrop and West St. Paul, Minnesota, before moving back to their home state of Wisconsin, and living in Milwaukee and Madison respectively. In 1983 they moved to Fargo, North Dakota where they lived until their deaths (Morris, January 17, 2009).
Mary started her career as a home economics teacher with Milwaukee public schools, and then, after obtaining a master’s degree, she moved to higher education, working at Mount Mary College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned her doctorate in 1981. She went on to become a respected college professor at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. During her time at Concordia College, Mary taught a variety of courses in the Family and Nutrition Sciences Department. She also led numerous May seminars with students to Europe, Australia, Guatemala and China.
Mary’s biggest joy was being a grandmother to Megan and Michael. She was a constant at their activities; watching them and always wanting to give them a hug afterwards. Her unique attention to details will be remembered: the thoughtful gift wrapping, pretty outfitting with jewelry and the carefulness when making her famous Jell-O. She enjoyed the family cabin on West McDonald Lake; being by the water, going for boat rides, and sitting on the deck or around the campfire pointing out the Big Dipper.
A devout member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, Mary nurtured her faith alongside her commitment to academia. She liked to stay busy, contributing to funerals, apple pie making, and klub dinners at church, as well as coordinating monthly luncheon meetings for Cass County and Fargo retired teachers. Her cat, Montana, was her constant companion. Most people that knew Mary well would have heard a Montana story, or seen her walking him in the apartment building.
Mary will be missed, but always remembered for how she impacted our lives individually. Please share a “Mary Story” online or write about it at the funeral.
She is survived by her son, Matthew (Deborah) Hallquist, Fargo; two grandchildren, Megan (Joseph) Weist and Michael Hallquist; cousin, Ruth (Edwin "Beau") Crandall, Battle Lake, Minnesota; brother, John (Elaine) Wyatt, Bangor, Wisconsin; sister, Susan (John) Erickson, Chetek, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Final resting place: Zion Lutheran Church, Trade Lake, Wisconsin.
