Marie E. Kieley

Marie Ellen Kieley, 73, Grand Forks, ND, died Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Valley Senior Living on Columbia, Grand Forks.

Marie Ellen Kieley was born January 2, 1948 to Elvin and Helen (Berg) Kieley in Grafton, ND. She grew up in Grafton and graduated from Grafton Central High School in June 1966. She graduated as a Practical Nurse from the North Dakota State School of Science, Wahpeton, ND in 1968.

Marie married Jerry Ackerland in April of 1968 in Grafton. They moved to Grand Forks in 1973.

Marie was a stay-at-home mom until she went back to school in 1986. She attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston. While at UMC she was in the Honor Society, several choirs, drama, student representation on the arts and lectures committee, and was named in Who’s Who in America’s Junior Colleges. She graduated with high distinction, the highest in her division, earning an Associate Degree in Gerontology.

In May 1991, she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Northland Community College, Thief River Falls, MN. She moved to Albuquerque, NM where she worked as a Registered Nurse in a large medical center.

Marie moved back to Grand Forks in January of 1993. She graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in May of 1996.

In January 1998, she completed the Parish Nurse course at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She served as a Parish Nurse for three local churches: University Lutheran, St. Mark’s Lutheran and Augustana Lutheran.

Until her health began to decline, she was active in church, especially the church choir. She also was a Foster Grandparent with Head Start.

She is survived by a son, Nathan Ackerland (Buxton, ND); three granddaughters, Gina Ackerland (Buxton, ND); Samantha (Nathanial) Stevenson, who lived with Marie since age 7, Haley (Kevin) Kim all of Grand Forks ND; a grandson, John Mercer (Fargo, ND); brother, Lee (Connie) Kieley; Sister-in-law, Jean Kieley, all of Grafton, ND; a niece, Shawnda Kieley; 2 great-grandsons, Jackson and Oliver Stevenson (Grand Forks, ND); and many other loving family members who will miss her dearly. 

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ralph Kieley; and by several aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, Maire requested memorials be directed to the American Diabetes Association for research.

No services are being held at this time. Inurnment will be in the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks.