University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Remembering Mary Dawn Howard

Mary Dawn Howard

Mary Dawn Anna Howard, retired Dining Services worker, died Friday, June 24, 2022, in Altru Hospital. She was 84.

Mary Dawn was born Oct. 6, 1937, in Grafton, N.D., the daughter of Leonard and Anna (Grube) Kemnitz. She grew up in Pembina attending a one-room schoolhouse in McArthur, N.D. She enjoyed riding to school with her dad in the stone boat. He would wrap her in a horse blanket and heat rocks to keep her feet warm.

Mary Dawn married John Howard on July 20, 1968, in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, in a double wedding with their friends. Together with her life partner of 54 years, they raised 8 children.

Mary Dawn enjoyed working at UND Food Service for 33 years, serving many students who could tell when she wasn’t cooking because it wasn’t as good. She catered many special events at UND, specializing in fruit and veggie trays.

Mary Dawn loved her flowers and her garden and won yard of the month several times. She was an animal lover and had many beloved dogs throughout her life. She and John loved to travel and vacation together.

Mary Dawn is survived by her husband of 54 years, John, children: Cynthia (Galen) Ibes, Marlyce Peterson, Valerie Peterson, Shelly (Roger) Bondy, Diana (Gary) Kunz, James (Tammy) Howard, Brenda Peterson; 20 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and “adopted sister” Mary Nygord.

She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Sherry Howard, grandson Michael Peterson, brothers Lyle and Donald Kemnitz, and many beloved dogs.

Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Forks.

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Grand Forks Humane Society.

An online register book may be signed at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com