Mary Diane Mcandrew

Mary Diane (Erickson) McAndrew, 69, of Fargo, died under Hospice care on Saturday, September 10, at Elim Care in Fargo, North Dakota.

Mary was born January 13, 1947, to Ralph O. and Leona (Titze) Erickson in Albert Lea, Minnesota. At the age of four, Mary moved with her family to her father’s hometown of Detroit Lakes, MN (DL). The family residence was on the North Shore of Big Detroit Lake. Growing up, Mary was on the lake regularly, swimming, sailing, water skiing, and ice skating. Mary attended and graduated from DL public schools. In high school she was on the Synchronized Swim Team. Her love of kids developed early as she earned spending money as a youngster by babysitting and being a summer nanny for neighborhood families. She was a car-hop at the Red Hen Drive-In and waitressed at the Erie Junior Restaurant. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

Mary and Jim met on a summer’s evening at a college-age hang-out, The Green Door, near public beach in DL. Jim asked Mary to dance and they were soon inseparable. They were married March 11, 1968, in Oregon, where Jim was attending graduate school. Upon his graduation, the U.S. Air Force sent Jim and Mary to an assignment at Goose USAF Hospital, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada. Later they were stationed at USAF Hospital Grand Forks, ND. Completion of Jim’s active duty military commitment saw them move to Fargo where they made their permanent home.

Mary’s primary life’s-work and passion was that of being a good wife, mother, and grandmother. Four children were born to Mary and Jim. Her love of kids was evidenced by her providing day care in her home and serving as a “Lunch Lady” at Lewis & Clark elementary school. She was an active member of the school’s P.T.A. and of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Numerous friends of her children have referred to Mary as their “Second Mom”. Mary enjoyed bowling, playing Contract Bridge and Bunko, and cultivating friendships. She was generous, fun-loving, attuned to the feelings and needs of others, and made those friendships easily.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Leona Erickson; her mother-in-law, Doris McAndrew; and brother-in-law, David Linquist. She is survived by her husband, Dr. James McAndrew, Jr. of Fargo; her four children, John (Karmen) McAndrew of West Fargo; Steven (Jenny) McAndrew of Plymouth, MN; Scott (Sarah) McAndrew of Fargo; and Susan McAndrew of Fargo.

Mary had special affection for each of her nine grandchildren: Thomas McAndrew of Fargo, Mariah McAndrew of Moorhead, Lexi Stein-McAndrew of West Fargo, Abigail McAndrew of Fargo, Jackson McAndrew of Plymouth, MN, Lillian McAndrew of Fargo, Jordan McAndrew of Plymouth, MN, Soren McAndrew of Fargo, and Sally McAndrew of Fargo.

Also surviving Mary are siblings, Barbara (Jerry) Martin of Oracle, AZ; Cathie (Wade) Lehmkuhl of DL; John W. (Mary) Erickson of DL; and Lynnea Linquist of DL; father-in-law, James McAndrew, Sr. of Fargo; sister-in-law Margaret (Mark) Beasley of Abilene, TX; aunt, Marlene Swanson of Worthington, MN; numerous cousins, nieces, and a nephew, as well as additional daughters-in-law, Angela (Brad) Cruff of Wahpeton, and Jill McAndrew of Fargo.

The family wishes to thank all the physicians, nurses, and other care givers at Internal Medicine Associates, Essentia Health, Hospice of Red River Valley, and Elim Care, for the wonderful assistance provided for Mary.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society www.donate.cancer.org , Hospice of the Red River Valley www.hrrv.org/giving , or a charity of your choice.