Mary Werner

     Mary Lou (Kourajian) Werner died at the age of 94 on December 2, 2021, in Jamestown, ND.  Mary was the first born of nine children to immigrant parents Vahan and Sarah (Geuvjehizian) Kourajian.

     Her father was born in Orar, Armenia and her mother was born in Tarsus, Turkish Armenia.  Mary’s parents fled their homeland to escape the Armenian genocide and were married in Marseille, France.  They eventually made their way to Jamestown, ND, where Mary was born on April 21, 1927.  Mary attended school in Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1945. 

Mary became married to Roy Werner on June 25, 1947, in Jamestown.  They lived and farmed in Bloom Township for 70 years. 

     Mary was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church since 1947.  She was a faithful servant of her Lord and church and she was always a willing volunteer.  Mary served St. Paul’s in many capacities for many years including historian, youth leader and as a member of numerous committees and boards.  Mary was also active in the Dakota’s Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as a lay delegate.

     Mary was a charter member of Church Women United and Nursing Home Volunteers, serving as each organization’s first president.  She was active in the lives of her children, participating in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H and PTA.  Mary also served nine years as a member of the Jamestown School Board. 

Mary served in various capacities as a member of the Bloom Township board, the Stutsman County Township Officer’s Association, the Bloom Township election board, Bloom Township Homemakers and Districts 12 & 29 Republican Women. 

     In her youth, Mary worked at several local shops, including King Photography Studio, where she met her future husband Roy.  Her family was most important in her life and she loved to entertain.  Anyone who had the pleasure of enjoying one of her home-cooked meals never left the table hungry. 

     Mary is survived by her daughters Mary Rebecca Werner, Yantis, TX and Carol Werner, Littleton, CO, and her sons Jim Werner, Spokane, WA and Dan (Cindy) Werner, Bismarck, ND.  She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She is survived by her sisters Helen Peterson, St. Paul, MN, and Dorothy (Dave) Pokorny, Dickinson, ND and her brothers Tom (Bonnie) Kourajian, Prior Lake, MN, and Art Kourajian, St. Paul, MN. 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Roy and son Ron; parents Vahan and Sarah Kourajian; sister Virginia Skroch Bennett; brothers Casper, Charlie and John Kourajian; several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and daughter-in-law Karla (Jim) Werner. 

     As a faithful servant of the Lord, Mary desires that any memorials be sent to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church memorial fund or JRMC Hospice Service. 

     A prayer service will be held at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND, at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 7, with visitation prior from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.  The funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Jamestown, ND, at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. 

     We respectfully request that those attending either service should be wearing a mask and practice social distancing to the best of one’s ability.

     Eddy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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