Marian Bernice Emter, 86, of Bismarck, passed away on July 15, 2026. 

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck, ND.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, July 20, at Eastgate Funeral Service. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m.

Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck, ND.

Marian was born on March 14, 1940, on the family farm 20 miles north of Hebron, North Dakota, to Edward and Elizabeth (Lennick) Krein. She was raised in the Beulah, Hebron, and Glen Ullin areas and graduated from Glen Ullin High School in 1959.

On April 20, 1963, she married Anton “Tony” Emter, and together they made their home in Bismarck. They were blessed with four children. Tony passed away unexpectedly in 1986.

Marian spent her entire career as a legal assistant, working for several attorneys including Floyd Sperry, Dave Bliss, Cynthia Feland, and, most recently, Johnson, Rodenburg and Lauinger. She was also a dedicated church member who played the organ for many years and served in a variety of church roles.

Family was at the center of Marian’s life. She cherished time spent with her family and friends and loved bringing people together. She enjoyed cooking and took great joy in hosting large gatherings. Marian also loved traveling, camping, crafting, and playing games, often as the most competitive person in the room. She was a collector of clothes and shoes and was especially known for her holiday decorations. Marian loved sharing a laugh, teasing those around her, and bringing joy to every gathering. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marian is survived by her four children, Kerry (Pamela) Emter, Gary (Annie) Emter, Shari (Jamie) Pfaff, and Terri (Jesse) Schuette; 12 grandchildren, Amber Dietz, Dalton (Megan) Emter, Jenn (Dorian) Sellers, Brock (Cyerra) Emter, Kayla Gnirk, Hunter (Taylor) Pfaff, Gage Pfaff, Hailey Pfaff, Kaitlyn (Dylan Fredrickson) Schuette, Noah (Jenna LaDuke) Schuette, Emily Schuette, and Chloe Schuette; 17 great-grandchildren, Nevaeh Huus, Natalia Huus, Nathan Jr. Huus, Noelle Huus, NyAnne Huus, IsaBella Emter, Anthony Emter, Stetson Emter, Remington Emter, Ja’Kai Sellers, Jasiah Sellers, Ryett Emter, Heidi Gnirk, Cole Gnirk, Gavin Pfaff, Peyton Pfaff, and Bennet Fredrickson; and one great-great-grandson, Kasen. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elaine Krein; and brothers-in-law, Al Emter, John Emter, and Leander Muggli.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Anton; granddaughter, Jade; her parents, Edward and Elizabeth Krein; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Adam and Stella Emter; brothers, Rueben, Howard, Arnold, and Vernon Krein; sister, Irene Roemmich; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Krein, Corrine Krein, Gladyce Krein, Lucy Emter, and Diane Muggli; brother-in-law, Albert Roemmich.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff who cared for Marian during her time at Missouri Valley Slope and to Lisa Boehm for forty years of hair care.