Mary Lou Leiphon, 86, Minot, died Sunday, May 5, 2019 in her home.

Mary Lou was born September 22, 1932 in Williston, ND to Harold and Lucille (Kinsella) Mahanna. She called Devils Lake, ND home during her youth. She graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1950.

She began work for Ramsey County in the coroner's office in addition to serving as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a young adult.

Mary Lou was united in marriage to Joseph Leiphon, who was the love of her life, on July 16, 1953 in Devils Lake. They moved to Minot later that year and called the 'Magic City' home for the rest of their lives. They were blessed with two children.

Mary Lou worked for JC Penney for nearly a decade and also first served the Minot Symphony Orchestra part-time until assuming the role of full-time business manager until her retirement late 1980's. She was a tax preparer at H&R Block for several years and managed the SteenStrup Jewelry Store located in the downtown Ellison's Department Store. She spent six weeks in Cincinnati, OH where she took a grant writing course and went on to write grants for various organizations. Joe passed away on November 26, 2012.

Mary Lou was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Minot and was active in the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She was appointed by the Governor to the North Central Health Planning Council and was Chairperson of the Red Cross during the transition to being known as the Mid-Dakota Chapter. Mary Lou was a member of the Minot Chamber Chorale its board and spent 38 years in service to the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

When not in service to others or her community, Mary Lou enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening and reading a good book. She was also a talented artist and loved to entertain, cook and bake often sharing tasty Christmas goodies with many dear friends. She will be missed deeply by all who were blessed to share in her life.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Joan of Minot, brothers William (Alma) Mahanna, Radcliffe, KY and Patrick (Thelma) Mahanna, Mulberry, FL, Greg and Nancy Fjeld and their family, Debbie Bossert and her family and canine companion McKenzie, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph, son Paul, an infant granddaughter, Lindsay, brothers Robert and John Mahanna and sisters-in-law Inez Mahanna and Dolores Mahanna.

Graveside Service: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Booksigning will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers and plants to the Minot Chamber Chorale.

Mary Lou Leiphon Flowers