Mary Ann Marleen (McLaughlin) Schutt

Mary Ann Marleen
(McLaughlin) Schutt
July 10, 1947 • May 22, 2024

Mary Ann Marleen (McLaughlin) Schutt, 76, went home to the Lord May 22, 2024, after enduring an inoperable brain tumor this past year. Our mother remained steadfast and committed to her husband until his passing this past Palm Sunday.  
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. CDT, visitation one hour prior to service on Tuesday May 28, 2024, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Hazen, North Dakota. A private family burial will follow at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah.
Mary Ann Marleen Schutt was born July 10, 1947, in Beulah, North Dakota to John and Hertha McLaughlin. Mary Ann was incredibly bright and loved education. She spent her high school years assisting her brothers with school work so all would graduate. Mary Ann would graduate from Hazen High School in 1965. Mary Ann would take college courses later in life to advance her education. She always assisted her grandchildren in reviewing and proofing any and all coursework.  Mary Ann had a passion for learning and expanding her knowledge base. She wanted her children and grandchildren to use education to find their passion.
Mary Ann was united in marriage to Sylvester Joseph Schutt in 1966. Mary Ann would leave her family and travel with her husband all over the United States with his numerous jobs.  As her husband worked, Mary Ann was determined to set her own course creating a career in the administrative business world.  She found employment at the Kmart cooperation, Washington D.C., Basin Electric Company and West River Telephone, Hazen, North Dakota. She was a firm believer in women being self-sufficient, having one’s own finances, and retirement. She passed that independent streak onto her daughter and granddaughters. Our mother was a firm believer in education, perseverance, tenacity and unconditional love of family.
Mary Ann and Sylvester would welcome three children: Elizabeth (1967), Todd (1969) and Michael (1980). After Mary Ann's retirement from West River Telephone, she would continue to ranch and manage the business operations of the farm. Mary Ann and her husband would continue ranching for over 15 years welcoming baby calves every summer. Mary Ann would always comment on the joy of watching a cow with her calf. Mary Ann would always talk about the bonds of mothers and their children. Family meant everything to her. Every Sunday, Mary Ann could be found praying and attending church with dad by her side.  She was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church and served on many committees throughout her life. She crocheted prayer shawls, served meals at funerals, and taught religion in her early years. Mary Ann’s strong faith and quiet determination carried her through the best and toughest of times. She was an avid reader and had a large collection of books she would share with loved ones. She attended book club and spent time studying different authors. She enjoyed her Irish heritage, playing cards, and buying anything that was red. Mary Ann was a bowler and a heck of softball player in her prime. She prided herself on her left swing when up to bat.
In her later years, Mary Ann and Sylvester would travel to visit their grandchildren. Her travels included Connecticut, Nevada, Germany, Italy, Austria, Alaska, Montana, California and all across Minnesota. When home, Mary Ann would be found each day helping her husband with his Parkinson's, tending cattle, fencing, cooking, and keeping close contact with her children and grandchildren. The word to describe how our mother felt about her children and grandchildren is “UNCONDITIONAL LOVE".  She loved us more than we are even able to comprehend. Her passing will leave our hearts with a never-ending ache. Her legacy will be honored by the love her children will pass onto future generations.
Mary Ann is survived by her three children; Elizabeth (Robert) Auch, Todd (Jennifer) Schutt, and Michael (Lindsey) Schutt; grandchildren: Alexius, Emily (Evan), Bridget, Sophia, Blaise, Fynlee and Bexley; great-grandchildren: Raya, Remi, River, and Rue; her brother, Jerome McLaughlin; sister, Patricia (Neil) Blume; brother-in-law, Jerome Weiand and sister-in-law, Jill McLaughlin.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester; parents, John and Hertha (Miller) McLaughlin; four brothers: John, Mike, Lester and Robert; two sisters: Margaret and Betty; one nephew; five nieces; paternal grandparents, Jack (John) and Margaret (Maloney) McLaughlin; maternal grandparents, Rudolf and Mary (Reinhardt) Miller.