Iretta Mae Marynik

Iretta Mae Marynik, age 96 of Warsaw, ND, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2025 at The Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, North Dakota.

Iretta Mae was born Nov 1, 1928 to Leon and Margaret (Stoltman) Schuster in Grafton, ND. She attended a one room grade school (District # 83) one mile south of her home. In 1941, at 12 years of age, Iretta Mae moved with her parents to a farm near Drayton, ND, where she finished her education.

Iretta Mae married Bruce Marynik on Nov 16, 1948 at St Edward’s Catholic Church in Drayton ND. They were married 57 years when Bruce passed away on January 7, 2006. They lived on the farm of Bruce’s parents in Pulaski Township until 1953 and moved to Acton Township where they continued to farm until their retirement in 1983. Iretta Mae was a faithful famer’s wife working by her husband’s side helping with field work, while taking care of their home, garden and farm animals. In 1996 Iretta and Bruce purchased a retirement home in Warsaw, ND. Iretta along with Bruce traveled throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii; the Holy Land; the Vatican; and they cruised the Caribbean.

Iretta Mae was a common-sense lady who possessed a strong personality and a soft heart. Her sharp mind and ability to connect family members with many generations was remarkable. When asked a question about past relatives, 90% of the time, she could share details. If she wasn’t sure of an answer, she would point to the east of her home towards the cemetery and say, “the answer to that is lying over there”. One of Iretta’s hobbies was to collect obituary memorial cards. This enabled her to connect relatives and information of families that had passed on. Iretta also spent many hours putting names on hundreds of pictures spanning an entire century of family members and friends. She would make notes and index her work. Iretta was a true historian!

Although Iretta Mae and Bruce had no children of their own, children and education were very important to them. They opened their home to nieces and nephews providing financial support for their education and the opportunity to pursue their life’s goals.

Iretta Mae, with the exception of when she lived with her parents in Drayton, was a life time member of the St Stanislaus Church in Warsaw, ND. She was an active member of the St. Stanislaus Altar Society for most of her adult life, serving funeral lunches for many years.

Iretta Mae is survived by a brother, Charles (Arlene); several nieces and nephews and extended family members; longtime friend /niece Irene Duray; neighbor and friend, Richard LaBounty, who was her chauffeur, maintenance man, and a watchful eye who enjoyed visiting with Iretta over coffee and cookies, since becoming her neighbor 8 years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce; parents Leon and Margaret; brother Harold and sister Mary Ann Thiel; grandparents Edward and Mary (Plutowksi) Schuster, John J and Johanna (Piekarski) Stoltman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Warsaw. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery of Warsaw.