Medrean E. Warner

Medrean Elizabeth Rufer Warner, 86, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at home with family.

Medrean was born September 1, 1927, in Fargo, ND, to Cyrus and Josephine Maynard Rufer. She grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1945. She attended Stephens College in Columbus, MO., and the University of North Dakota.

She married Bruce R. Warner in July of 1948. They lived in Moorhead before moving to Tampa, FL., with their daughters in 1957. They divorced after 11 years of marriage.

Medrean was married to James Woodall for several years. She returned to Moorhead in 1963.

Medrean remarried the love of her life, Bruce Warner on November 16, 1970, where they made their home in Fargo.

She was a talented and creative woman. She worked in radio and television as an award winning copywriter.
While living and working in Manhattan, she was a contestant on Johnny Carson’s game show “Who Do You Trust?” which preceded his “Tonight Show” fame.

She acted in many community theater productions in Florida and Fargo. She loved writing poetry and was an avid reader. Her grandchildren enjoyed many wonderful stories created by their beloved grandma.

Bruce and Medrean loved taking vacations to Las Vegas and visiting their grandchildren in Denver, CO., and Burnsville, MN.

She loved her family dearly. She spent a lot of time with her aunt, Helen Rufer Farmer, and caring for her elderly mother, Josephine Sylvester.

Her love for her pets was great. She cared for many cats and dogs over the years. She loved feeding and watching the birds in her Fargo backyard.

We will miss out beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Medrean is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bruce Warner; her two daughters, Kim Warner of Moorhead, MN, Lori Greg Charlton of Aurora, CO; her five grandchildren, Rachel John Butler of Montgomery, MN, Sonia Wes Agnew of Bradenton, FL, Sarah Warner of Bloomington, MN, Aron Melissa Strode of Phoenix, AZ, Adam Jeanette Strode of Bangkok, Thailand; and her nine great-grandchildren, J.T. and Josh Butler, Jake and Jules Agnew, Eve, Brook, Grace and Collin Strode, and Lucy Strode. She is also survived by her step-sister, Virginia McLarnan; and other relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and step-mother, Cyrus and Evelyn “babe” Rufer; her mother and step-father, Josephine and Robert Sylvester; and her step-brother, Robert Bristol.

There will be a private celebration of her life on Sunday, May 11, 2014. An open gathering will be from 1 – 2 p.m. at their home in Farmstead Estates in Moorhead 3433 28th St. S. #405. A private family service will follow.