Mary Louise Shankar

Mary Shankar, 76, of Langdon, ND, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Louise Otto was born November 2, 1942, in Langdon, ND, to William and Kathleen (Wild) Otto. She grew up and attended school in the Milton area, graduating from Milton High School in 1960. She continued her education at Aaker’s Business College in Grand Forks, ND. On November 21, 1963, Mary and Richard Shankar were united in marriage in Milton. They farmed for many years. In 1987, Mary went to work for the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital Foundation as a secretary and then director. She loved her job and the people she worked with. Mary was a very active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church by leading adoration, reading at Mass, as a deanery lay council representative and as a member of Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and was 2017 Chamber Employee of the Year. Mary enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and visiting friends and family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as helping out anyone who needed it, especially her daughter, Joanne, and son-in-law, Larry. Mary had a giving and loving heart and was thought of as a non-biological �grandma’ to her grandsons’ friends.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Joanne (Larry) Gehrtz, of Devils Lake, ND; grandsons: Richard Gehrtz (Bethany Bratlie), Clayton (Jenna) Gehrtz, and Dylan (Kelsey) Gehrtz; great-grandchildren Hayden and Liam; brothers Duane (Bev) Otto of Langdon, ND, and James (Lois) Otto of Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law: Edi Ann Otto, Sally Otto, and Jean (Norm) Maynard as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard; brothers Richard and Robert Otto; and sisters-in-law: Helen Hamann, Mary Cummings, and Rose Shankar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 20, 2018, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND, followed by the Rosary at 6:40 p.m. and a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at St. Alphonsus Church in Langdon. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Langdon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the
Cavalier County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 20, 2018, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND, followed by the Rosary at 6:40 p.m. and a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at St. Alphonsus Church in Langdon. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Langdon.