Maryann Morsette Obituary (1954 - 2017)

Maryann Morsette, 62, Twin Buttes, North Dakota, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at CHI St. Alexius, Bismarck, North Dakota. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 12, 2017, in the Youth Activity Center, Cannon Ball, with Rev. Duane Fox officiating. A wake service is scheduled for 5:00 PM, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Youth Activity Center, with Pastor Mike Kills Pretty officiating. Burial will be in the Congregational Memorial Cemetery, Cannon Ball. All denominations are invited to share gospel music. Maryann was born April 13, 1954, in Cannon Ball, North Dakota to Jonathan and Annie (Running Bear) Stretches. She was raised in Cannon Ball where she attended Cannon Ball Oak Grove Elementary, and graduated from Solen High School in May 1973. Maryann moved to Twin Buttes, North Dakota in the fall of 1974 and married Roy Morsette on July 20, 1976. Roy and Maryann had a very deep love for each other for 40 years. They would go on to make their life here raising their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She helped with the upbringing of her younger brothers-due to the loss of her parents at an early age. In the fall of 1979, Maryann started working at Lil Champs Head Start in Twin Buttes. She earned an Early Childhood Education Associates Degree from Fort Berthold Community College and obtained her CDA Credential from the National Credentialing Program. Maryann worked from September 1979 until June 24, 2009, when she retired. Following her retirement, she volunteered in The Foster Grandparent Program at Lil Champs. Her love for education was astounding. She always encouraged people to pursue their education and dreams. Serving on the Twin Buttes School Board was an honor for her. She was always at any type of school event when her children and grandchildren were involved. The center of Maryann's life was her family. She loved each of them dearly and held them close to her heart. Her passions included; beading, sewing star quilts and outfits, going to powwows, planning family gatherings, and tending to her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Roy; two daughters, Roychelle and Danielle Morsette; three sons, Chad (Ardyss) Morsette Sr., Danny (Almanda) Morsette, and Roy Morsette; one sister, Iola Two Hearts; two brothers, Jonathan (Almeda) Stretches Jr., and Wilfred Snow; brother-in-law, Alfred (Jackie) Morsette Jr.; two sisters-in-law, Joan Mandan, and Diane (Robert) Finley; ten grandchildren, Zade River Skye, Bailey Anne, Chad Blaine Jr., Taylor Marie, Heaven Altanna, Danielle Leigh, Roy Alexander, Talon Jay, Courtney Nicole, and Lance Lee; special nieces, Rhonda, Tammy, Skylar, Yasmine, and Wanda; numerous nieces, nephews; and many children she taught at Lil Champs. Maryann was preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, David (Agnes) Running Bear; paternal grandparents, Peter (Laura) Stretches; two sisters, Caroline Halsey, Alfreda Stretches; three brothers, Rudolph Stretches, Conrad Stretches, and Delano Stretches; nephew/son, Christopher Halsey.