Mary Alice Hall Connor of Devils Lake passed away on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital in the loving care of family. She was 94 years of age.
Visitation was held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, with a Rosary and Scripture Service. The Rosary was led by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon who officiated the Scripture Service.
Mass of Christian Burial was on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Karmalraj Balasamy celebrating the Mass. Burial was in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, rural Garske on Monday, Nov. 3.
Mary Alice Hall was born on June 12, 1931, in Williston, ND, the daughter of James Barrett and Mary (Ryan) Hall. The family moved to Minneapolis when Mary was just 11 months old. She attended St. Thomas Elementary School and graduated from Southwest High School with the class of 1949. She was an accomplished speed skater, earning many awards in both the United States and Canada. She then turned her talents to figure skating, again earning many accolades and serving as a United States Figure Skating Judge for many years.
After high school, Mary Alice attended a business school in Minneapolis and worked for Donaldson’s, later as a switchboard operator at the local telephone company before moving to Colorado and later California. Thus begins the love story for Mary Alice. She became a pen pal to Joseph Clinton Connor because each of them had a sister in nurses training. But Mary Alice continued working and writing. While in California she worked at a high-end department store, and many times was a personal shopper to the stars. (Lloyd Bridges was one) Mary Alice ended up back in the Minneapolis area, and Clint needed a ride from the train station in Rochester to Minneapolis to catch a train to Starkweather. This was their first face to face meeting, and as they say the rest is history. Mary Alice and Clint were united in marriage on April 24, 1954, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Minneapolis. They moved to the Connor Homestead farm in rural Webster and made it the loving home to their children through the years until moving to Devils Lake in 1997.
Mary Alice was the devoted wife and mother. She worked along side her husband on the farm, raising children and chickens, ducks, pigs, etc. She was an excellent cook and baker, but cooking for nine people was not necessarily a hobby, but everyone had a favorite and she delighted in making their special dish whenever she could. Any spare time was spent sewing, knitting, or just sitting down and reading a good book. She was never idle and worked as a census taker for many years, worked at Glickson’s and other various jobs through the years.
She was active in the church and the community. She served as the Webster Township Clerk/Treasurer for 27 years. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Daughters of the Revolution. She was a member of the local Extension Homemaker’s Club where she gave sewing lessons. After her battle with cancer, she was part of Live, Laugh, Learn Cancer Support. She enjoyed membership in RSVP. (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program) Mary Alice was a faithful, active member of Sts. Peter and Paul, Assumption of Mary in Starkweather and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar Society and Catholic Daughters after moving to Devils Lake.
Mary Alice loved the outdoors. Her winter loves were ice skating, snowmobiling, cross country, and downhill skiing. Her summer loves were swimming, biking, spending time at the camper at Creel Bay, trips to Sully’s Hill enjoying the scenery, buffalo, and hiking. She climbed Sully’s Hill at age 80.
However, nothing brought more joy to her and Clint than time at the farm with all four generations gathered along with all the beloved pets, animals of all kinds. These were the truly treasured moments of their lives. Clint died in August of 2003, but the memories of a beautiful life together sustained Mary Alice through the years.
For Mary Alice, every fall on the ice was an opportunity to rise with more strength. That is what Mary Alice always did through every adversity and so shall we as her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Rest in peace.
Mary Alice’s loving family include her children and their spouses Patrick and Joan Connor, Shoreview, MN, Sheila and Jon Hughes, Pine City, MN, Mary Anne Connor, Winter Haven, FL, Brigit Connor of Fargo, ND, James and Suzanne Connor, Windsor, CO, Thomas and Gloria Connor, Mapleton, ND and William and Stacy Connor, Devils Lake; grandchildren Elizabeth (Ian) Dobson, Joe Connor: Megan (Dan) Leslie, Katie Hughes, Kerrie (Jesse) Perron: Emily (fiancé Sonny Galloway) Connor, Ryan (Samantha) Connor: Nicole (Marlon) Charles, Danielle (Nate) Deleeuw, Eric (Aubrey) Palm: Barrett Connor, Brendan Connor and Thomas Connor; fifteen precious great grandchildren; brother Tom (Louise) Hall and Dick (DeeDee) Hall all of Minneapolis; many dear nieces, nephews and their families; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mike and Ellen Connor, Devils Lake.
Mary Alice was reunited with her parents, husband Clinton, twin sons Paul and Peter, sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Jim Fitzgerald, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Betty Hall and in-laws Joe and Kathleen Connor.
