Mary K Wanner

Mary Kathryn Wanner, 74, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025 at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, with her youngest daughter and husband by her side.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 24 at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary in Bismarck. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 23 from 5-8 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home. There will be a rosary at 6:00 PM and another rosary with the vigil service starting at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Mary was born at St. Cecelia Hospital in Harvey, ND on November 8, 1950 to Ewald and Patricia (Murray) Heisler. Her parents moved to Bismarck around 1959 and Mary attended the Annunciation Priory Girls School located at Mary College. She graduated from Bismarck High School with the Class of 1968. She married Ronald B. Rivinius and they had six children. On October 2, 1999 she married William Adam Wanner in Tappen, ND. It could happen in Tappen.

Mary was a joyous member in good standing of Alcoholics Anonymous and had 33 years of continuous sobriety in recovery. Something she shared with her own father and her son.

Over the years, she worked at Kmart and Burger King as well as being a homemaker. She enjoyed swimming, going for walks, praying, going to church, watching TV, and traveling. Mary visited Fatima, Lourdes, Rome, Our Lady of the Roses Bayside New York, Daytona Beach Florida, Cleveland, Akron Ohio to name a few. She had a great fondness for the AA Program and incorporated much of her travels to this cause.

Mary will be remembered for her favorite sayings, funny stories, love and devotion to our dear Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima, her love for sobriety and helping others to help themselves in the program, late night shopping, her humble heart, elegant outfits and how much she loved her family so very much. Her peaceful, soul hugging smile and hugs will be missed by all her knew her.

Mary will be deeply missed by her husband, Bill; her children, Julie (Shane) Bogden, Edmonton AB, CA, Joseph Rivinius, Ronald P. Rivinius Jr., Jacinta (Troy) Baker and Anna Rivinius all of Bismarck; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; stepchildren, Scott Wanner of Dickinson, William T. Wanner of WI; sisters, Cary Myers of Alberta, CA and Edna (Dean) Sailer of SC.

She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Rivinius; stepson, Brian Wanner and granddaughter, Joy Kephant.

The family would like to thank the St. Alexius ICU and Transitional Unit staff for their care during moms final weeks of earthly life.