Mary Kenward

   Mary Catherine Kenward, age 84, passed away on April 5, 2021 at Bee Hive Homes in Moorhead, Minnesota. She was born on January 25, 1937 to Irvin and Etta (Wilkerson) Gentry. Mary grew up in Allensville, North Carolina and graduated from Bethel Hill High School 1955 in Bethel Hill, NC. After high school, she attended one year of Louisburg Junior College in Louisburg, NC. Mary worked two years as a lab tech in cytology at Duke Medical School in Durham, NC.

   At the age of twenty, Mary, met the love of her life, Joe Allen Kenward.  Joe was then serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg. They fell in love and Mary agreed to move north to farm with Joe near, Page, N.D. They married on November 22, 1958 in Allensville, NC before returning to Page. They were married 55 years. While living in Page, Mary worked a short time as a receptionist for Jorgensen Chiropractic, but spent most of her years as a homemaker on their family farm with Joe and their three children, Jeanne, Laurie and Glenn.

   Mary was a member of Page Methodist Church, Royal Neighbors, TOPS, United Methodist Women, and School Mothers at Page High School. She enjoyed bowling and knitting. Mary donated many beautiful afghans to the Good Samaritan Home in Arthur, ND and was affectionately known as the “afghan angel”. Mary will be remembered for her Southern hospitality and love for her family.

   Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Irvin and Etta Gentry; husband of 55 years, Joe Kenward; daughter: Laurie Kenward; siblings: Ben Gentry and Beryl Perkins. 

   Mary is survived by her daughter: Jeanne (Bruce) Laugtug of Moorhead, MN; son: Glenn Kenward of Fargo, ND; granddaughters: Lindsey (Aaron) Rhoads of Parker, CO and Katie (Joel) Shipley of Fargo, ND; great grandchildren: Carter, Clara, Ivy, and Elle Rhoads and Logan and Cameron Shipley; brothers and sisters in law: Richard Kenward of Hood River, OR, James and Eloyce Kenward of Fargo, ND, Virginia Gentry of Roxboro, NC; and many nieces and nephews.  

   In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Page Ambulance Service, 114 Morton Ave. Page, ND 58064.

Masks are required.

Visitation:  Will be at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND.

Burial: Will be at 1:00 PM Saturday in the Page Cemetery in Page, ND.