Mary Magdalene (Keller) Schmaltz, age 97 of Rugby, North Dakota died on Monday, June 16^th, 2014 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, surrounded by members of her family.

Mary was born July 31^st, 1916 in the Karlsruhe, North Dakota home of her parents, Anton and Elizabeth (Abel) Keller and was raised and educated there.  On October 5^th, 1937, she was united in marriage to Peter P. Schmaltz at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Karlsruhe.  Mary and Peter made their home on a farm north of Rugby following their marriage, where they raised their family of eight children and farmed.  In 1974, the couple moved into Rugby.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, Mary worked outside the home at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Rugby as a CNA.  She retired 24 years later and she and Peter then enjoyed doing home daycare for the next 10 years.  Mary, a very devout and prayerful person was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers.  She enjoyed crocheting, gardening and being with her family.  Peter died February 15^th, 2001 and Mary remained in her own home until December of 2013 when she moved to the care center.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth of Fergus Falls, MN, Carol (Darroll) Miller of Colorado Springs, CO, Helen (Duane) Hilzendager of Rugby, Donald (Doris) of Fargo, Diane (Dennis) Thingvold of Minot, Leonard (Lorraine) and Bernice (Cletus) Axtman, all of Rugby and Melvin (Mary Jane) of Devils Lake; 33 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 72 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Margaret Rocheleau of Minot; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband; a grandson, Kurt Hilzendager; a great grandson, Sean Muffenbier; a step great granddaughter, Amanda Muscha; 3 sisters, Elizabeth and Clara Keller and Katherine Koehler; 7 brothers, Michael, Anton, Lambert, Wendelin, Joseph, Wendelin and Lawrence Keller; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21^st at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery.  Fr. Tom Graner, Celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday with a rosary and vigil prayer service at 7p.m. and will continue on Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., all in the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.  There will be no reviewal in the church.