Mary Bridgman

Mary Bridgman, 72 of Fargo, ND died Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Innovis Health, Fargo. Mary Helena Martin was born April 8, 1937 in Eastman, WI to Leonard and Loretta (Foley) Martin. She grew up in Eastman and graduated in 1955 from Seneca High School, Seneca, WI. She graduated in 1958 from St. Francis School of Nursing, LaCrosse, WI. She married Thomas H. Jaekel on June 14, 1958 in Eastman. They lived in LaCrosse, where their two children, Jennie and Steve, were born. Mary was a staff nurse at St. Francis Hospital and then surgical nurse at Lutheran Hospital. She later became head nurse in surgery and was director of education at Lutheran Hospital. Following Tom’s death, Mary married Virgil P. Foss on June 17, 1972 in LaCrosse. They moved to Grand Forks, ND, where Mary was supervisor of surgery at United Hospital from 1973-1977. During that time she also taught at AVTI in East Grand Forks (now NCTC – EGF.) She later worked as a medical review specialist for North Dakota Health Care Review. After their marriage ended, Mary was married to Dr. James Leigh from 1992-1994. She was patient care coordinator first at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Lakota and then at Valley Memorial Nursing Home (Almonte) in Grand Forks. Following the Flood of 1997, she moved to Fargo, where she was a medical reviewer for Noridian Blue Cross/Blue Shield until her retirement in 2002. On June 25, 2005 she married Gurnee K. Bridgman in Fargo. Mary loved flowers and plants, spending many peaceful hours digging in the dirt in her gardens and filling her house with bouquets. Her favorites were pale pink peonies and light pink tulips. She also enjoyed travel, and was thrilled to visit Europe and Alaska with Gurnee. It was during a stay in London that Gurnee proposed to her. Mary is survived by her children, Jennie Zeitler of Royalton, MN; and Steve (Lisa) Foss of Ely, MN; grandchildren Katie Zeitler, Ian Foss, Erik Zeitler, Tess Branson and Heather (Robert) Manecke; siblings Margaret (Ed) Scheckel, Union Grove, WI; Jim (Betty) Martin, Evanston, IL; John (Rita) Martin, Platteville, WI; Ann (Larry) Scheckel, Tomah, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents. In lieu of flowers memorials, preferred to charity of the donor’s choice. Visitation: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 6:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Memorial Service: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Burial: Turtle Lake Township Cemetery, 13 miles northwest of Bemidji, MN.