Maretta J. Michelsen

Maretta was born to Violet Gurena Olson and Dee Thomas Bailey on June 29, 1938. She grew up near Canfield Lake, North Dakota, attending school in Canfield and Regan. While in school, she played basketball for Regan High. Maretta married Ernest Paul Michelsen on October 22, 1955 in Sisseton, South Dakota. They lived in Minneapolis, MN, Fort Dodge, IA; and Pipestone, MN, before settling back to Bismarck in 1957. In Bismarck, Maretta worked at JC Penny and attended Bismarck Junior College while raising 5 children. In 1969, the family moved to Wahpeton, ND, where she worked at first for the Cenex Station as a bookkeeper and then at Minn-Kota Cable along side Ernie. In 1980, they built Southeast Cable in Hankinson and Lidgerwood, ND. In 1989, she and Ernie purchased the Fosston Golf Course in Fosston, MN, where they worked until 1996. Maretta became a CNA at Eventide Nursing Home when they moved closer to family in Moorhead, MN. Upon retirement in 2005, Maretta enjoyed quilting, needle work, gardening and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Throughout her life, Maretta was an avid reader and proponent for learning. She passed these qualities on to her children and grandchildren. Maretta was very proud of her children and gave them support and encouragement throughout their lives. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren, their laughter, sass and love gave her joy. Maretta, a loving wife, mother and grandmother will be missed. Our universe has stopped for a brief time but will eventually move again with heart, soul and laughter, just as she intended. Maretta is survived by her husband, Ernie; daughters and son-in-law, Michelle, Julie and Jeff Slaby and Fay, all of Moorhead,MN, and Kim of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Sara, Franklin and Cassandra Slaby of Moorhead, MN, and brother, Dewayne Bailey of Bismarck, ND. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel and sister, Karen Petterson.