Marie Annie Fode

Marie Annie Drenth was born July 26, 1932 to Levi and Beatrice Drenth on the family farm near Jud, North Dakota. She received her education in the Jud area schools and Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND.

Marie and Harold (Fritz) Fode met after Harold served in the army from 1945-1946. They were married June 6, 1948 in a garden wedding at the Drenth farm. They farmed north of Jud before and after Harold was recalled with his Army Reserve Unit to serve in the 1950 Korean Conflict.

They moved to Fargo in 1953 with their two children, George and Marcia. Harold worked for North States Power for 32 years. Marie was a stay-at-home mom until the kids were in school. After attending Dakota Business College, she worked at Oak Grove Lutheran High School for about 4 years. Both George and Marcia graduated from Oak Grove. In 1968 Marie was employed by the Division of Independent Study, NDSU, as Office Manager for 24 years. She retired in 1992.

Harold retired 4 years before Marie retired and moved, they moved into Prairiewood Park Condo in south Fargo where they lived together until 2000 when Harold got sick and had to be moved to the Alzheimer’s unit at the Evergreens in Fargo and later into Good Sam nursing home in Arthur, ND. He died October 19, 2004.

Marie was very active with the condo’s daily upkeep and served as Vice President for a number of years. She was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo, and enjoyed many friends there, Sunday School, and The Silver and Gold group. Marie loved The Lord. Her faith was unwavering, strong and personal, and it guided her through her trials and gave her a beautiful Spirit.

Marie loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed traveling to spend time with them each year as she was able. Marie loved to cook and bake and “perfect” recipes. She perfected “Cuppacake” a microwave cake in a coffee mug in 2001 and donated it to Calvary Youth Group for a fund-raising project that was very successful.

Maire is preceded in death by her husband, Harold (Fritz); her parents, Levi and Beatrice Drenth; her brother, Lyle Drenth; her sister, Ruth Job; nieces, Rene’ Job and Susan (Job) Malm.

She is survived by her son, George (Becky) Fode, Fargo, ND; her daughter, Marcia (Stan) Buchholz, Billings, MT; her grandsons, Greg (Starlite) Buchholz, Kennewick, WA, and John Fode, Fargo, ND; granddaughter, Ginger (Ezra) Grey, Spokane, WA; great grandson, Rook Grey, Spokane, WA, Joe and Max Buchholz, Kennewick, WA; and great granddaughters, Daisy and Molly Buchholz of Kennewick, WA.