Marjorie Kahl

Marjorie Kahl (née Black), 98, Bismarck, N.D., passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024.  She was born June 5, 1925 to Harry and Edna Black and had three siblings, Jean, Mary, and Lester. She grew up on a small farm east of Carrington, North Dakota. She attended a one-room rural elementary school and rode a horse back-and-forth to school. She attended high school in Carrington, North Dakota, living with her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary O’Leary.

After graduating from high school, she went to work at the Gambles store in Carrington, where she met Charles Kahl, a widower with three teenage sons, Wesley, Keith, and Charles (Chuck). Marj and Charles married in 1947. They had three children, Douglas, Marla, and Steven. Marj strove successfully throughout her life to make Wesley, Keith, Chuck, Douglas, Marla, and Steven, their spouses and descendants feel that they were all part of one large family.

In 1963 they moved to Grafton, North Dakota, and in 1966 they moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. After moving to Grand Forks, Marj obtained a business degree from Aakers Business College. Among other jobs in Grand Forks, she worked at the University of North Dakota and the Senior Citizens Center for a number of years.

After Charles died in 1986, Marj eventually retired to Bismarck, North Dakota near her son Steve. After moving to Bismarck, she was very active in the First Presbyterian Church, serving for many years as a deacon. In her mid ‘90s, Marj was no longer able to live independently and became a resident of Missouri Slope Care Center. While at Missouri Slope she received excellent care from the staff and CHI Health at Home as well as regular visits by family members Steve Kahl, Rhonda Burgard and Lori Thrall and members of First Presbyterian Church.

Marj was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents, Harry and Edna Black; siblings, Jean Sciaccotta, Mary Emerson and Lester Black; stepsons, Chuck Kahl and Keith Kahl.

She is survived by her children, Douglas (Louise) Kahl, their son Seth Kahl, Marla (James) Reynolds and Steven Kahl; stepson, Wesley Kahl; grandchildren, Rhonda Burgard, Evelyn Kahl, Jeff Kahl, Lori Thrall, Tom Kahl, Kathy Arey, Wm. Keith Kahl and Mary Monroe; 13 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.