Myra M. Collette

Beloved Mother, Cherished Friend, Educator and Realtor, Myra Mattern Collette of Grand Forks, ND passed peacefully on September 1, 2024

 Myra was born to Anton and Anna Mary (Welk) Mattern on Dec 2, 1933, in Strasburg, ND. Myra shared a lifelong close relationship with her mother, siblings, and dozens of cousins. She highly valued both her deep Christian faith and her humble ND German Heritage. She was forever proud to be the niece of Bandleader Lawrence Welk as shown by this Wunnerful newspaper article link to the Dickinson Press.

Following high school graduation, Myra began her life’s adventure with a move to Billings, MT where she lived with her sister Irene and worked as a secretary. Soon after, in 1952 she met and fell in love with Ernie Collette at a church dance; they were married on October 3, 1953. For the next 10 years they moved frequently and with each move another child was born. After the birth of the 5th child in Grand Forks Myra humorously said, “I’m done moving”. Over the decades Myra kept busy with family, yet at the same time attended University of North Dakota. She earned a B.S. in Education in 1973 and Master's Degree in Management Information Systems in 1992. Over the years, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to become a successful realtor, property management, an educator at Northland Community Technical College and an online instructor at UND. She was a dedicated 45-year church volunteer, a 20-year election poll worker, hosted many social gatherings, loved Bridge Group, Golf and Curling. She truly was the lady with dozens of best friends. In 2009, a serious illness required Myra to retire and move into supportive living. Through health struggles she continued to have an unwavering positive attitude and would always let you know she was having a Good Day. Myra’s best attributes were her easy laughter and her wittiness. She was just fun to be around. Myra was always a lady, extremely intelligent, possessed great ingenuity and somehow always remembered everyone’s name.

 Beyond the many lives Myra touched, her legacy includes her 5 children: Vicki (Ron) Heimark of Chelan, WA; Renee Collette of Gilbert, AZ; Dianne (Scott) Bergstrom of Bend, OR; Janine Weber of Eden Prairie, MN; Craig (Kimberly) Collette of Tampa FL; 19 grandchildren, many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Pius, Aloys, and Felix and two sisters Anna and Irene. 

 Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true, and now 'til we meet again. Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen. – the final song on The Lawrence Welk Show.

 At a future date, Myra will return to her hometown of Strasburg, ND where a Mass and burial will be held. 

With boundless gratitude the family would like to thank all the staff at Valley Senior Living on 42nd for many years of exceptional, compassionate care. 

 In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to Valley Senior Living Foundation via https://valleyseniorliving.org/valley-senior-living-foundation/ , Saints Peter & Paul Church Strasburg, ND via https://emmonscatholics.org/strasburg-giving  or to Hospice of the Red River Valley at HRRV.org