Marlys Richard, age 90 of Bottineau, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at her home in Bottineau.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 10:00 am at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be on Monday starting at 4:00 pm with a rosary service at 6:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Marlys Luella Johnson was born on January 5,1936 to Lawrence and Martha Johnson. Marlys was raised in Willow City, ND with her four sisters. Marlys married Donald Joseph Richard, the son of George and Anna Richard on January 18, 1955 in Thorne, ND.

Don and Marlys moved to Bottineau, ND in 1962 where Don worked in insurance, investments, and securities, and Marlys began what she believed to be her greatest calling; Motherhood & Family. Creating a home to nurture and raise six children was most important to Marlys, and together, she and Don worked diligently to build a family foundation rooted in religious beliefs. Marlys defined her individual personal values, Catholic faith, and life circumstances as drivers for becoming an example of motherhood for her children.

Don and Marlys joined St. Mark's Catholic Church in 1962. Marlys was involved in Religious Education, Altar Society, Right to Life, Choir, and many volunteer opportunities. St. Mark's Church gave Marlys the opportunity she truly loved the most… leading the rosary before and attending mass. Over the years, Marlys enjoyed working at Pin Pointers, Pritchard's Shoe Store, and Kihle's Greenhouse where she loved helping people. Marlys enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning, baking, and puzzles of all sorts.

Marlys is survived by her children: Valerie Indridson, Cavalier, ND, Jocelyn (Frank) Norling, Warroad, MN, Cynthia (Tim) Kihle, Lake Metigoshe, ND, Melissa (David) Stanley, Minot, ND, Gerard Richard, Minot, ND, and Michele (Todd) Pigeon, Rolette, ND.

Grandchildren: Kristin (Tony Nelson) Sharp, Mindy (Christiaan Snyman) Indridson, Miranda (Brett) Scholler, Adam (Karen) Norling, Brandon (Sara) Norling, Simon Norling, Victoria (Gregg) Hoppe, Zachery Kihle, Alexis (Talon Jones) Kihle, Jacques Stanley, Blaise (McKenna Thiessen) Stanley, Aaron Richard, Amy Richard, Andrea (Jaxon Dewald) Richard, Collin Pigeon, and Katelyn Pigeon.

Great-grandchildren: Micayla, Kinzee, Paityn, Breton, Leif, Burke, Lindy, Ella, and Bentley.

Sister-in-law: Carmen Richard and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Marlys is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Darlene (Marvin) Block, JoAnn (Eugene) Grondahl, Lorraine (Maurice) Grondahl, and Ardith (Clarence) Fahrnkopf; and Son-in-law, Butch Indridson.