Marianne Kinnischtzke

Marianne Beth Kinnischtzke

Marianne Kinnischtzke, 85, of Bismarck, North Dakota, formerly of Hebron, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Baptist Health & Rehab, Bismarck.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. 

Burial will be held at 2:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Marianne was born on August 12, 1938 to Herbert and Lucy (Heid) Klusmann of New Salem, ND. She grew up on her parents’ dairy farm northwest of New Salem. When Marianne wasn’t busy with duties on the farm, she loved to watch the ice go out in the spring at the nearby creek. Marianne graduated from New Salem High School in 1956 before attending Jamestown College to study English. Soon after she started her studies she met her husband of 60 years, Norbert Kinnischtzke, at the Casa Loma, a well-known local dance hall. They married on December 29, 1957 and made Hebron their home where they farmed, ranched, and raised three children. 

Cooking was a lifetime passion that gave Marianne great satisfaction and joy. Visitors and guests could be certain they’d only receive hearty homemade meals with ingredients fresh from the garden or farm. She beamed with pride when sharing her culinary and baking skills with neighbors, family, friends, and guest ranchers and farmers. Fan favorites include her homemade bread, popcorn cake and baked rice. 

Marianne also had an interest and love for music by often sharing her musical talents at church. She spent many years singing in the choir, playing the piano for youth services and programs and being a paid organist at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Hebron. As a member of the church, her commitments also included serving as a guild member, overseeing Sunday School activities, and volunteering at bible school. 

While she’ll always be remembered for her enjoyment of a hot cup of coffee, quick wit and sarcastic humor, and informal gatherings where good visits and laughs were shared, Marianne’s love and desire to put family first will be most cherished. 

Marianne is survived by two children, son, James Kinnischtzke, Jamestown, ND; and daughter, Jennifer (Timothy) Kray, Lincoln, NE, and three grandsons, Carter, Caleb, and Colby Kray, Lincoln; two sisters, Mavis (Henry) Zahn, New England, ND and Linda (Paul) Lee, St. Louis, MO; numerous nieces and nephews.

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Kinnischtzke and son, Mitch Kinnischtzke.