Mary Ellen Obert

Dr. Mary Ellen Obert, MD, age 90, of Holland and formerly of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017 in Holland. She remained at the home of her daughter and son-in-law until the end as she had wished. Mary Ellen Newton was born April 12, 1926 in Ellwood City, PA. The youngest of four children of John Holliday and Jeanetta Newton, she grew up on a dairy farm. She was always an avid reader, even from a young age. From the time she was a young girl, when she was ill with Scarlet Fever, she decided that she wanted to become a doctor. She followed through on those dreams and graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, and Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia, PA in 1950, where she was one of four women graduates. She interned and completed here residency in Internal Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA. It was there that she met her future husband, Gerard Joseph Obert. Gerard was also a physician. Together they set out for Rochester, MN, where they finished training and began their family. Eventually, they settled in Fargo, ND, where they raised their five children and lived for 41 years. Gerard preceded Mary Ellen in death in 1996. Mary Ellen worked as a physician until 2000. She worked at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Fargo, ND for many years and retired from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where she worked as campus physician for 15 years. After retirement, she continued to volunteer her medical services at the Salvation Army Clinic for the homeless in Fargo, ND. She always identified herself as a physician, even after retirement. Mary Ellen was a dedicated mother as well, and raised five children with Gerard. They all survive her, David (Magdalena) Obert of Hamilton, NJ, John Obert of Wilmette, IL, Clare Obert and her children, Mary, Matthew, Ellen and Debra of Minneapolis, MN, Anne (David) Derfler and their daughter Kathryn of Austin, TX, and Dr. Barbara (Ken) Puzycki and their children, Rachel and David, of Holland, MI; in-laws, Paul (Charlotte) Obert, Arthur (Carol) Puzycki, David (Janet) Puzycki, Mary (John) Setterlin, Mark Puzycki, Jim Puzycki; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. Mary Ellen moved to Holland, in 2004 and lived with her daughter, Barbara and her family, for the past 12 years. She came to enjoy Holland as her second home and developed many friendships there. Special friend, Jean Mast, was a devoted and tireless companion to her. A visitation is planned for 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E 16th St., Holland, with a funeral service following at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fargo, ND. Published in The Holland Sentinel on Jan. 11, 2017