Maribeth Bokinskie

Maribeth Bokinskie, 89 of Fargo, ND, formerly of Wahpeton, ND, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024, in Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo. Her funeral mass will be held at St. John's Catholic Church in Wahpeton, on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11 am, with visitation one hour before the service. Fr. Paul Kuhn will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Breckenridge, MN.

Maribeth was born to Ben and Dorothy Gebhart on May 13, 1935, in Breckenridge, MN. Maribeth attended St. Johns School and graduated from Wahpeton, ND High School in 1953, She attended North Dakota State School of Science. Maribeth married Jim Bokinskie on July 10, 1954.

Maribeth was a lifelong learner and enjoyed her career as Business Manager for the Wahpeton School District. After leaving that position, she was a Legal Secretary for Bailey & Lies Law Office where she embraced new office technology.

Maribeth was a champion of women and politically active throughout her life. She remained unapologetically liberal and was always up for a good debate. She was a consummate hostess and was especially excited to welcome friends and family to their home on Ottertail Lake. Maribeth had many talents including cooking, baking (her chocolate cherry cake was legendary), sewing, and playing cards (her grandchildren called her a “Silent Assassin”). She found joy at water’s edge in Minnesota, Florida, California, and the Bahamas.

Maribeth’s family was her priority. She is survived by her children Charles (Barb) Bokinskie, Bruce (Jean) Bokinskie, Lynne (Jim) Ridgway, and Kerri (Tim) Harkness; grandchildren: Michael (Sophie) Bokinskie, Christopher (Melody) Bokinskie, Katherine (Tyson) Evans, Kirsten Bokinskie, Andrew Ridgway, Madeline (Jens Hagstrom) Harkness, and Nicholas Harkness; great-grandchildren Vada, Gemma, Penelope, Kiara, Payten, Ana, and Mila Bokinskie, Remy Evans, and Norr Hagstrom. Her brothers Roger, Mike, and Bill Gebhart and her sister Sue Maderios also mourn her loss.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, Jim; parents Ben and Dorothy; sister, Gretchen Waldera; and grandson Anthony Bokinskie.

Dementia robbed Maribeth of her memory and her speech, but it did not dampen her spirit. She recognized her family through the end and her smile still lit up the room. At her last birthday celebration surrounded by family, she exclaimed, “I have everything!” Thank you to the professional and compassionate staff at Touchmark, Bethany Retirement Living, and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Their years of devotion and care meant so much to Maribeth’s family.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to Bethany Retirement Living (Fargo), and Hospice of the Red River Valley (Fargo).