Magdalen Ann “Maggie” Schorsch, 89, died Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Maggie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England with Fr. Gary Benz as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Victor Dvorak presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Maggie was born to Joe and Emily Herberholz and was raised on farms near the New England and Havelock areas. She had an adventurous, curious spirit her entire life, enjoyed learning, and felt fortunate to have graduated from St. Mary’s High School in New England. She was also a proud graduate of the St. Alexius Hospital Nursing program in Bismarck and enjoyed a brief, but rewarding, career as an RN in Belcourt.

Maggie married Edwin Schorsch in 1951. They farmed 2 miles east of New England, where they raised their family of 9 children. Life on the farm with a large family was very busy, most likely overwhelming, but Maggie never missed a beat, always learning, always exploring. After Edwin’s untimely death in 1980, Maggie moved into town, where she continued to raise her family.

Our Maggie—Encouraged by her parents, she developed a life-long love of reading and learning. Maggie loved to play Scrabble, and we were always amazed at her vocabulary. She was hard to beat, even in her upper 80s. We were rather proud to admit that she could still beat us, though. She also enjoyed playing cards and games with her family. Maggie loved a challenge. She was adventurous and encouraged her children and grandchildren to explore and try new things. She loved to see creativity blossom in them. Her hobbies included jelly making, candy making, sewing, leather working, upholstery, and baking, to name a few. She learned to golf, and loved it—sometimes golfing every month of the year! It seemed she could do anything, make anything.

Maggie was devoted to her parents and always busy with tending to the family that she loved. She was a wonderful mom, and we are thankful, blessed, and honored to have had her in our lives. Nothing we can say could adequately capture the essence of who Maggie was.

Maggie held fast to her faith in Jesus Christ and devotion to the Blessed Mother. She lived a life of service, as a nurse, farm wife, mom, grandma, friend, sacristan, and member of the Altar Guild, devoted to St. Mary’s. She had several special life-long friends at St. Mary’s whom she loved, and we thank them for loving our mom.

Maggie moved to Touchmark in Bismarck in 2009 and enjoyed her time living there, visiting, walking, and, of course, playing scrabble and putting puzzles together. She was 89 years old at the time of her death.

Surviving Maggie are her children: Curt Schorsch, Sandy (Bob) Kilber, Connie (Jack Werre) Schorsch, Brenda (Rod) Schaeffer, Galen (Debbie) Schorsch, Carol (Terry) Wastweet, Darin (Lisa) Schorsch, Marla (Jerry) Peterson, and Ryan (Eartha) Schorsch, as well as 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; siblings, Mike Herberholz and Josie Good; and son-in-law, Lenny Kathrein.

Dear Mom, You always welcomed us home with loving arms and a genuine, joyful smile. We know that God has welcomed you into your heavenly home and is now holding you in His own loving arms, smiling at you with pure joy, for surely you became exactly the person He created you to be. Enjoy the fruits of a life well-lived, well-loved. We love you. God bless you!

May the angels be your guide, may they lead you into paradise.