Marlys Rae Mathiason

Marlys Rae Mathiason, age 91, of Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer, ND passed away peacefully on August 21, 2021 with her daughter Melanie Stein by her side. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Marlys Rae Mathiason (Molly), was born on July 13, 1930 in rural Pekin, ND. She was the daughter of Alfred and Sena (Otteson) Opoien. She was the 11th of 13 children born to Sena and Alfred. She was welcomed by six sisters and four brothers. She attended school in Pekin and graduated with the class of 1948. She then took a short college course at Mayville State College to teach in rural schools. She married Erling Sigdahl on March 28, 1951. They had six girls from their union: Marcy (Tom) Sedler, Mona Marquart, Melanie (Roger) Stein, Elise (Jake) Kasten, Estelle Sigdahl, Erlene (Jeff) Schwartz. They divorced the fall of 1970. Molly continued raising her girls in Tolna, ND where she was employed by Tolna School as the Secretary. In the summer of 1975 she took a job in Fairdale, ND as a bookkeeper and school bus driver. She enjoyed her life in Fairdale. She was an avid walker. She will be remembered by some for her many Fairdale miles. She enjoyed her church, reading for Sunday Services and joined various auxiliary groups. She married Harvey Mathiason on October 20, 1979. They made their home on the Mathiason family farm at Fairdale and they enjoyed wintering in Apache Junction, AZ. Harvey passed away December 28, 1993.

Molly is survived by her six daughters and Harvey's four children, Dale (Nan) Mathiason, Debby (Donavon) Diseth, Diane Ness, Dean (Becky) Mathiason, 26 Grandchildren and 31 Great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sena and Alfred Opoien, by her loving husband Harvey Mathiason, 12 brothers and sisters: Alfred, Jon, Amy Howell, Beulah Gaarder, Ardis Nilep, Shirley Haas, Margaret Mannie, Marjorie Thoreson, Wallace, Bernard, Allan and Jim. Blessed be their Memories.