University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Remembering Anna Chaput

Anna Chaput
Anna Chaput

Anna Helen (Marcotte) Chaput, retired nurse at the former UND Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Forks,  passed away on December 25, 2020 with family by her side at Valley Senior Living, Woodside Village. She was 97.

She was born April 20, 1923 in Olga Township to Telesphore and Marie Laure (Beauchamp) Marcotte. Anna was the loving wife of George Chaput for 71 years. They married November 27, 1944 in Olga, ND. Together they raised 10 children whom they taught to work hard, instilled in them their values and faith, and demonstrated their love and dedication to each other.

Anna grew up near Olga, N.D., graduated from Walhalla High School, then St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. She worked at Breyer Hospital in Ypsilanti, MI when first married before returning to North Dakota to raise children and farm with George near Milton.

The family moved to Grand Forks in 1967, where Anna resumed her nursing career. She was a registered nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital, Almonte Nursing Home, and then UND Rehabilitation Hospital until her retirement. She volunteered at Altru Hospital and St. Anne’s Guest Home. She was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael’s Auxiliary, and Good Sam’s Club.

She enjoyed spending time with family near and far, close and extended, friends were treated like family. “Always room for one more” was her motto. Anna RV traveled and camped with George including annual trips to Medora. She liked playing cards, gardening, word search puzzles, crocheting, dancing, and music. She loved and cared for many grandchildren and great-grandchildren teaching them baking, crafts, and singing French songs.

Anna is survived by children, Janice (LeRoy) Ljunggren, Milton, WA, Marcia (Lee) Damoiseaux, Tacoma, WA, Kenneth (Peggy Deno), Gig Harbor, WA, Gayle (Dave) Roberton, Grand Forks, ND, Damus (Jeanne), Cavalier, ND, Mark (Karen), Billings, MT, Susann DeTienne (Lawrence Harer), St. Louis Park, MN, Brenda Taylor, Grand Forks, ND, Barbara (Scott) Knepper, Grand Forks, ND; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, even great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Ovide, Grand Forks, Eugene, Langdon, ND; and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband, George; son, Michael; grandson, Nicholas Taylor; parents; sisters, Edna Dalzell, Cecile Robillard, Theresa Robillard, Laurette Zettel, Juliette Dietz; and two infant brothers, Marcel and Leo.

Due to COVID, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am CDT on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at St. Michael’s Church with interment at St. Clotilde Cemetery, Milton, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to: St. Clotilde Cemetery c/o St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1010 Third Street, Langdon, ND 58249.