Mary Arlene West, 82, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017, at her home on the farm near Fertile, MN. Mary was born to Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Kanz) Campbell on March 11, 1934, at Big Fork, MN. She graduated from Bigfork High School in 1952. While in High School, she worked as a nurses aid. After graduation, she entered the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN.
On the eve of her graduation, September 9, 1955, Mary married Clayton West at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. They met in 1954, when Clayton got out of the Army. They lived in St. Paul for two years where they had their first child, Terence, at the hospital where Mary was employed. Mary and Clayton left St. Paul and moved to Burbank, CA where Mary had another son, Timothy, and later a daughter, Michelle. She worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank until they decided to move to the home farm near Fertile. Mary worked at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN, for a time. Mary then worked in nursing homes in Twin Valley, Fosston and Crookston, where she was the Director of Nursing. While Mary was working, at age 40, she attended Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Social Services. Mary's last and most favorite job was Quality Assurance at Villa St. Vincent's Nursing Home in Crookston, MN. Mary retired in 1996. She loved the residents, as she loved her church family at Maple Bay.

Mary loved the Lord and devoted much of her life working for her Savior, Jesus Christ. Clayton and Mary read devotions every morning. Mary read her Bible at every opportunity. She enjoyed teaching Bible Studies at home and parochial school in Fertile, where she was aided by Clayton to keep the youngsters in line. Both Clayton and Mary loved their time together at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church. They especially loved the warm welcome they received when they began attending there 15 years ago. Her main interests were reading books and writing. They were so happy with the Pastors and wonderful piano and organ players. Mary greatly enjoyed her fall trips with Clayton to the North Shore of Lake Superior to take in the beauty of God's creation and to visit family. Christmas at the farm, when all the family would visit, was a very special time for her. We were all blessed by her wealth of knowledge and her godly wisdom.

Mary is survived by her husband, Clayton, Fertile, MN; three children: Terry (Roxanne), Moorhead, MN, Tim, Beltrami, MN and Michelle (Marc) Holman, Neche, ND; seven grandchildren: Anthony West, Sharell (Jeff) Wilson, Ryan Holman, Kayla (Luke) Grittner, Allison (Matt) Baker, Karlee West, and Tanner West; four great-grandchildren: Mason West, Jasiah, Jordan, and Journey Wilson; siblings: Barbara (Ken) Smith, Blaine, MN, Russell, Shevlin, MN, and Ron (Nancy), Hermantown, MN; several nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Gordon, Darell, Bill, and Jim, and two sisters, Margie Yurrick and Jean Irving.

Visitation: 5-7 PM with a prayer service 6:30 PM, on Friday, January, 6, 2017, at the Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, Maple Bay, MN.

Funeral: 11 AM Saturday, January 7, 2017, Maple Bay Free Church, Maple Bay, MN.

Burial: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile.

Pastor Bruce Dalager, Officiating