Mary Ellen Shuman Counter

On August 10th, our dear Mary passed away in her sleep at home.   Although Mary was not surrounded by loved ones at the time of her passing, in life, Mary was surrounded by the love of her family, friends, community members young and old, and co-workers past and present.  She was a light, a joy, and a blessing in the lives of all of us who had the privilege of knowing her and of being loved by her.  Without Mary, the lives of all she touched will be a bit dimmer.

That being said, Mary Ellen Shuman Counter was born in International Falls, MN, in 1980.  She is survived by her mother, Betty (Silliman) Bruni and step-father, David Bruni; her loving husband, Kevin Counter; her sons Christopher, Steven, Caleb, and Tripp Kartes; her sisters, Ally Shuman and Jen Vroom; her brothers: John Shuman and Daniel Leeds; her favorite niece, Megan McKel Thompson; her nephew, Jonah Shuman; her dear friends Roch Tweten, Pam Quinn, and Kevin Dusek; and her ex-husband, Jeremy Kartes.  Mary was preceded in death by her father, John William Shuman, and her very special grandmother, Elva Silliman.

A service to remember and share stories about Mary will be held at the Tollefson’s Funeral Home located at 154 W. 12th Street, Grafton, ND on Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00. Anyone whose life has been touched by Mary is encouraged to join us.  Casual attire, of course. We all know how much Mary loved her hoodies and flip flops.