Mary Ressler

Mary Ressler, 101, died peacefully of natural causes at St. Vincent’s Care Center with her family at her bedside on September 11, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, September 16 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Josh Waltz presiding. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:30-4 PM on Sunday, September 15 with a Parish Rosary/Vigil service at 4 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Mary lived through many eras, saw many changes in the world and has outlived all her siblings. She would say “I love life.” She demonstrated her love for life in her 101 years with us by her devotion to her faith and endless love for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Mary was born March 13, 1923, in rural Morton County to Daniel and Rosa Morrell. She was the one of 5 children that lived on the family farm. She would talk of helping her mother with housework, while her brothers helped her dad with the farm. She talked of neighbors and going to dances. When her parents moved to Mandan, she resided with her parents and worked at the Golden West Laundromat until she was married.

On October 22,1946, she married Matt Ressler. Mary and Matt began their life as a married couple on her parents’ farm. Mary spoke openly about farm life not being for her, she was truly a city girl. She loved the idea of moving to Mandan and having neighbors very close. As a housewife and mother of 3 children; Jeanette, Sandy and Kevin, she spent her days caring for her family as a Christian mother and devoted wife. Her children attended Catholic school, her husband, Matt, provided for the family, and they enjoyed this simple beautiful life. When her children were out of the house, Mary began to work as a housekeeper and a demo lady for Cass Clay and Cashwise. She enjoyed getting out and visiting with people. Her and Matt would play cards with friends, go on bus trips, spend time with family and devote endless hours to their children and grandchildren. Mary was considered an expert by her family at getting stains out of their clothes, making cheese dip, and having the best snacks at her house. Nobody could do things better than Gramma Mary. 

Mary is survived by Jeanette Fergel, Mandan, Sandy Boehm, Mandan (Tim Boehm), Kevin Ressler (Kim Ressler), Mandan, nine grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Dan and Rosa (Hatzenbuhler) Morrell, husband Matt A. Ressler, and brothers Joe, John, Jack, and Sebastian Morrell, three sister-in-laws, and a son-in-law Alex Fergel.