Marcia Oathoudt

Marcia K. Oathoudt, age 75, of Bismarck, passed away of complications of a severe stroke on Thursday, March 31, 2016. She was surrounded by her family.

Funeral services and fellowship will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bismarck.

Marcia, the daughter of Jacob and Emma Swenson, was born on March 8, 1941, in Bismarck. She was raised with her brother, Harley, on a farm south of Bismarck, where she grew up with many cousins and family, in what she fondly recalled as an idyllic childhood.

Marcia attended Fort Rice School south of Bismarck through the eighth grade. She greatly enjoyed the experience of attending a country school because she was able to compete with older students. She attributed much of her success in later life to that experience.

Marcia graduated from Bismarck High School in 1958. She was an honor student, and editor of the student newspaper, the Hi Herald. Marcia was active in many school clubs and activities, and given her gregarious nature, particularly enjoyed the Pep Club. She continued this interest in later years, serving on numerous reunion committees for her class.

She graduated from Jamestown College in 1962, with a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish. While at college, she was selected as J Club Queen, and met a young quarterback named David Oathoudt, with whom she fell in love. They married in 1962, and embarked on teaching careers together. Marcia had many friends and greatly enjoyed her college experience.

Marcia and David began their married life in Minot. They then moved to Turlock, California, where Marcia taught English at the high school in Hilmar, California. While in California, Marcia and David took many fun trips and enjoyed her extended family in the Sacramento area. It also was in Turlock that her children, Todd and Kristi, were born.

Marcia and David then moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where David taught and coached, and Marcia devoted herself to raising an active family.

In 1973, Marcia and her family moved back home to Bismarck, building a house on the family compound. In Bismarck, Marcia was active in her neighborhood, co-founding a 4-H club, and traveling around the state with Kristi for 4-H activities. She was a great fan of Century High School basketball, cheering Todd on to a state championship in 1985.

After raising her children, Marcia returned to the workforce at Dayton's in Bismarck, where her gregarious personality allowed her to be the top salesperson in the men's department. Marcia was then recruited to teach Spanish at Mandan Middle School and High School. She retired in 2000.

In retirement, Marcia led an active life with summers at "the lake" in Minnesota, and winters in Mazatlan, Mexico. Marcia particularly enjoyed her large group of friends in Mazatlan. Marcia also was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren, Jessica and Joshua, in Faribault, Minnesota. She spent time at their many sporting events, and loved her time with her family.

Marcia is survived by her husband of 54 years, David, of Bismarck; her son, Todd Oathoudt (Debbie) of Faribault, Minnesota; her daughter, Kristi Brownson (Robert) of Hudson, Wisconsin; and her grandchildren, Jessica and Joshua Oathoudt of Faribault. She is also survived by her brother, Harley Swenson (Margaret) of Bismarck, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Emma Swenson of Bismarck; and parents-in-law, Calvin and Irma Oathoudt, of Jamestown.

Marcia truly led a full and active life and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was the life of any group and always had a smile, which will be greatly missed.

Memorial donations may be made in Marcia's name to the American Heart Association.

For more information, please visit www.Eastgatefuneral.com