Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Mary Puffe
Mary K. Puffe passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of October 4, 2025. She had struggled with lung disease and heart failure for years. More recently diagnosed with cancer, it was her wish to cease the fight, and embrace God’s plan with dignity.
She was born Mary Katherine Murphy October 21, 1934, to Terrance Clement (Tony) Murphy and Lenora Rita (Babe) Zink Murphy. She was their third child. Mary K had 2 older brothers whom she adored all her life, John and Daniel. She lost her mother at a very young age, and was sent to stay with her grandmother with episodic visits to various aunts. Beginning High school, she returned to live on the farm with her father and brothers. She graduated from Bordulac High School in 1953.
She went to St Catherine’s School for Nursing in ST. Paul, MN, where she got her Nursing diploma. When asked why she went there, she replied, “Because that’s where the Murphy women went”.
She married James E. (Jim) Seitz on May 25, 1956. They built a home and farm together in Bordulac, ND, very nearby her father’s and beloved brother’s farm. She worked as an RN in Carrington Hospital for 20 years. During this time, she had 7 children, all of whom were born in Carrington Hospital. She said that “all I ever wanted was to be a farm wife with a large family”. Those goals she accomplished.
She and Jim divorced in 1976, and shortly thereafter she relocated to Bismarck, where she worked as an RN at Mandan Hospital, Bismarck Hospital, and Bismarck Hospice. She returned to school and obtained her BSN from Mary College.
She met and married Esthel Puffe in 1986. She embraced Esthel’s 3 adult children: Paul Puffe of Texas, Joel Puffe of Bismarck, Cheryl Puffe of Oregon and felt every bit a grandmother to the children from those married couples.
Mary K and Esthel moved to Bemidji, Minnesota, in 2004. After Esthel passed away in 2006, Mary K then became the first ever ‘virtual nomad’ – staying with each of her 7 adult children for months at a time, bringing her sewing and her faith with her.
She left a legacy of 7 adult children: Lenore Seitz of Jamestown, ND; Jay (Julie) Seitz of Alpharetta, GA; Paula (Mark Netherda) Seitz-Netherda of Santa Rosa, CA; Mary (Brian) Strand of Lawton, ND; Tricia (Mark McGlynn) Seitz-McGlynn of Bozeman, MT; Thomas (Britt) Seitz of Carrington, ND, and Jennifer Seitz of Healdsburg, CA. Also 15 grandchildren, and 11 Great-grandchildren, along with charitable donations to ‘mission work’ and many quilts sewn with love and bestowed upon loved ones with great pride and best wishes. We will all miss her, and we know she is with us, always.
“Simplify and be at Peace”
Mary’s Visitation will be Friday, October 24, 2025 from 12:00PM-1:00PM followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, ND.
Her Burial will be at the Carrington Cemetery.
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Mary K was just the best. She will be so missed. Sending my sympathy to all who knew and loved her!
Mary K was such a bright light and so caring. She was a great friend to my mother Joyce. My deepest sympathy but I know that heaven has gained another angel.
Mary K was always so cheerful and kind. She was a blessing to family, friends, community and everyone she came in contact with. She was so easy to love. I am so grateful to have had her as my neighbor and dear friend.
Honouring your mom’s legacy and memory with you, Paula and family. Sending you all my love from here.
I am so thankful that I could watch this moving funeral service from afar. Thank you all for sharing your memories, thoughts, emotions and laughter. Mary Kay was such a beautiful person. I feel very blessed that she was my aunt. I will truly miss her. Sending love and sympathy to you all from here in Texas. Praying that my dad and his brother John are joyfully welcoming their sister home.