Mary Ellen Maltry

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Mary Ellen Kistler Maltry, age 95, died December 15, 2021, at her home at Bethany on 42nd. Until the moment she left this earth, she lived life to its fullest. Her motto being, "When fun and duty come to clash, let duty go to smash!"

Mary Ellen Kistler was born on April 25, 1926, in the family home on State Street in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, to John Phaon and Esther Elizabeth (Dry) Kistler. She had one sister, Aleta, who was five years her senior. Mary Ellen attended a one-room schoolhouse where she greeted her first-grade teacher with the words, "hi, Mrs. Hippopotamus!", because it was the longest word she knew. On Saturday morning, Mary Ellen boarded the train to Philadelphia to take elocution lessons to prepare her for recitations at the Kistler reunions. She graduated from Hamburg High School in 1942 and attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She received her diploma from The University Of Colorado, Boulder, in 1946 where she was affiliated with the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Her first teaching position was in Greenville, Michigan, where she was employed as a 9th grade English teacher. On September 1, 1951, Mary Ellen exchanged vows with Dr. Emile Maltry, a diplomat of the American Board of Urologyand fellow of the American College of Surgeons, from New Orleans, Louisiana, at St. John's Lutheran Church, in which she was baptized on May 11, 1926.

The young couple made their first home in Wichita Falls, Texas, where Emile was associated with the Medical and Surgical Clinic of Wichita Falls. Their first child, David Emile, was born on March 13, 1954. Emile and Mary Ellen moved their family to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where their daughter Elizabeth and son John were born. Mary Ellen enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother for her children. Mary Ellen enjoyed cooking, substitute teaching, and her bridge games. Emile joined the V.A. Hospital as Chief of Urology in St. Paul, Minnesota. After the family spent a year living in residence on Fort Snelling, Emile and Mary Ellen relocated to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1967. Mary Ellen wore many hats - she and Mary Jo Grove, a fellow Chapter AM PEO sister, formed an Estate Liquidation business. Mary Ellen earned her North Dakota realtors license; she was an active member and Christmas auctioneer for Chapter AM PEO and was Congregation President of Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo. She became an avid quilter, gardener and even became skilled at creating exquisite Ukrainian Eggs. Mary Ellen learned to cane and paint the detailed wood carvings that Emile created. She also proudly served as the Royal Historian, and lingerie model, as a member of the Red Hat Mamas.

Mary Ellen also loved substitute teaching- to the extent that one student said she must be the smartest woman in the world because he had her as a substitute teacher in every class, from English to woodworking! Mary Ellen and Emile loved to travel throughout the United States and the world. They spent many summers riding horses with the American Field Service, with Emile serving as the trail M.D. Mary Ellen expressed her favorite travels were to Kenya and Tanzania.

Although diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1997, Mary Ellen continued her zest for life even in her later years and sought out and maintained lifelong friendships. Her PEO Sisters, bridge, and breakfast club friends continued their dedication to enriching her life until the end.

Mary Ellen is survived by her son David (Cynthia) Maltry, of Neenah, Wisconsin, and their children, Amanda (Matt) Hahn of Minneapolis, MN and Kathryn Maltry of Minneapolis, MN, her daughter Elizabeth (John) Lyngstad, of Fargo, ND, and their children, Stephen (Taylor) Lyngstad of Fargo, ND and Lauren Lyngstad of Dallas, TX, her son John (Sandra) Maltry of Tuscon, AZ and their children Samuel and Nathan Maltry. Along with great-grandchildren Landon David Hahn and Harper Grace Lyngstad.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Emile Maltry, her only sister Aleta J. Keller, her parents, in-laws, and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Mary Ellen's family would like to thank the staff at Bethany on 42nd for the wonderful compassion and care she received. They would also like to thank all of the wonderful folks who continued to make her time on earth exactly as she wanted; meaningful but FUN!

Memorials can be directed to Hospice, Bethany, PEO, or to your discretion.