Mary Lou Kolden, 76, Douglas, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband and children.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 4 to 6 PM with a prayer service at 6 at the Douglas Senior Center.  Funeral services will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Douglas on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 11 AM with a luncheon to follow at the Douglas Senior Center.

Mary Lou was born to Fred and Laura Huber on February 18, 1946, in Beulah.  She attended school in Riverdale and graduated in 1964.  She was friends with many of her classmates to this day.  She married Kent G. Kolden, the love of her life, on July 10, 1964. Together, they moved to several places for his work, some being Wahpeton, Hutchinson, Garrison, and Killdeer.  Kari Bea and Michael Kent were born at this time.  They finally settled in Douglas in 1971 where they had Jeffrey Frederick Ervin, Justin Lars, and Jennifer Jolynn.  Here they made many dear lifelong friends.

When they moved to Douglas, Mary Lou began working in Garrison as a CNA and then in activities. She was as many would say "the best CNA ever". She worked there for 28 years. She also was busy in Jayceettes, Nifty 50's, 4-H and with her children's activities.

Mary Lou enjoyed every bit of her children's, relatives, and friends' lives.  She loved to pop in on her family especially surprising them dressed up as a clown, fairy, or a bag lady! She enjoyed helping on the farm, gardening, sewing, making crafts, ceramics, scrapbooking, and making delicious baked goods. She loved to travel and was hard to find at home.  She would travel to Arizona with her snowbird folks, with her children, later with their families, her sisters and their families, or with friends. She loved to be on the go!  She also loved to shop, especially late at night on the computer or TV.  She collected rooster items and filled her kitchen with them.

Above all, Mary Lou loved her family and always put them first. She never gave up in searching for her son Jeffrey who went missing June 8, 2002. She kept hope that answers would be found.

Mary Lou's beloved family includes her husband, Kent; children, Kari (Russell), Mike (Gretchen), Jeff, Justin (Dana), Jennifer (Nick); grandchildren, Ben (Emily), Daniel, Victoria and Levi Titus, Zach (Kirstie) Jetland, Alex Berg, Lumen and Lili Kolden, Kayleigh Kolden, Terese, Sammie and Gabby Kolden, Josephine, Olivia and Kolden Murray; great-grandchildren, George, Finley, and James Titus; sisters, Linda (Kent) Kroupa and Cheryl (Tom) Murdock; and many nieces and nephews.  Some who call her Grandma Lou.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and grandson Isaac Titus, Rose Bell, Bea Bateman and Bruce Bell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at Alz.org or 800 272-3900 or to Missing/murdered Indigenous Relatives at Lisa Yellowbird Chase/Sahnish Scouts /MMIR PO box 1225 Garrison, ND 58540.