Mary Julia McCutcheon, 96, Minot, and formerly of Karlsruhe, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Mary was born May 9, 1911 at Karlsruhe, North Dakota, the daughter of Fred and Agnes (Niess) Kraft. She was the eldest of eight children and raised and educated at Karlsruhe.

During her younger years, she worked at the Poor Farm near Velva to assist her family pay bills. She also worked for several families in Eastwood Park in Minot.

Mary was united in marriage to George "Tommy" McCutcheon on April 29, 1946 at Glasgow, MT. They made their home in Minot, where along with raising their three children, she was employed at the Minot Eagles Club and Elks Club as a cook for more than thirty-one years. George died in 1980.

Mary was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and St. Leo's Catholic Church, where she was active with the Altar Society. She did volunteer work at both churches. She enjoyed singing, dancing, cooking, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

Her loving family includes: Children: Shirley (Mike) Stenvold, Minot, Barbara (Gary) Zietz, Minot, and Marcella (Thomas) Moore, West Mifflin, PA; Eight Grandchildren; Eleven Great-Grandchildren; Sister: Emily Bloms, Minot.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, great-great granddaughter, Kelsey, sisters, Barbara Volk, Anna Black, and Katherine Strong and Agnes Kraft, and brothers, Paul and Fred Kraft.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, February 18, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, February 17, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND;
Visitation: Sunday, February 17, 2008, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.