Marian Ness, age 95, died at Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN on April 9, 2012. She was born at the family log house in Garden Township, Polk County, MN to Osmon and Mary (Bergum) Osmondson on November 28, 1916. Marian was a 3 ^rd generation Norwegian and passed that proud heritage on to her children and grandchildren. She was the youngest of 9 children. Her siblings were Arthur, Olga, Gerda, Orville, Walter, Caroline, Ludvig and Conrad, who are all deceased. Marian attended country school at Pleasant View District 97 until 8 ^th grade, after which she attended Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, ND for one year. She graduated from Mentor Public School, Mentor, MN in 1937 where she learned to love literature and writing. In her adult life she enjoyed writing poetry for personal pleasure. For many years she kept a diary, recording the everyday activities of farm, community and family.

Marian married Aaron Ness, son of Arthur and Caroline Ness, on November 8 ^th , 1940 at Dovre Free Lutheran Parsonage, Winger, MN. They bought land in Garden Township where they had a dairy and small grain farm. Three children were born to them: Alan, Mary and Steve. Aaron died of cancer in 1977. Farm life kept Marian very busy. Besides the house and garden responsibilities, Marian helped with milking the cows and the field work. She could drive a grain truck with the best of them.

Marian was active in Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church which was a sister church to Union Lake Free Lutheran where, as a young person, she was confirmed in Norwegian. Marian loved to travel and a few years before Aaron died, they were able to take a few trips in the US. She continued her travel with friends and sisters-in law well into her 70's. Her most treasured trips were the 3 times she traveled to Norway where she visited relatives in Bo, Telemark. At 85 she took her last trip to Norway for a family reunion attended by over 200 people.

True to her belief that "You're never too old to learn," she began oil painting in her late 60's. Her paintings were of farm scenes that brought back fond memories of her life in the country. She enjoyed baking, gardening, bird watching, oil painting, knitting, crocheting and especially spending time with family and friends, playing games, telling stories, and laughing together. Her greatest joy was her 4 grandchildren of whom she was so proud. She never tired of baking sweets for them.

Marian is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ness and Jerry Hengel, Avon, MN; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Betty Ness, Erskine, MN; grandchildren, Matthew Nesshengel and his partner, Jenny Tahtinen, Superior, WI; Marleny Nesshengel, Florence, AZ; Isaac Ness, Erskine, MN; Aaron Ness, Moorhead, MN; and several nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her husband, Aaron (1977), and son, Alan (2011).

Funeral services: 11 AM Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, Maple Bay, MN.

Visitation: from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home Fertile, MN.

Burial: Maple Bay Free Lutheran Cemetery, Maple Bay, MN.

Pastor Bruce Dalager, Officiating

Esther Dalager, Organist

Congregational Hymns #193 "My Jesus, I Love Thee" #509 "To God Be The Glory"

Maze and Arlys Thompson, Duet "Just A Closer Walk With Thee"

Pallbearers Jerry Osmondson Roger Osmondson Brad Bakke Danny Wallace Byron Ness Paul Hatlstad

Honorary Pallbearers Jim Quick Kenneth Oien Orval Hatlestad Interment Maple Bay Free Lutheran Cemetery Maple Bay, MN