Mary Ann Broschat, age 91, of New Rockford, ND, formerly of Cathay and Fessenden, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at the Carrington Medical Center. She was born in Cathay, North Dakota on March 2, 1927 to Emma (Weinholz) Edinger and Abner Edinger. She grew up in Cathay and attended school there, as well as Valley City State University.

She met and married her high school sweetheart, Emery Broschat, in 1948 and together they farmed near Cathay for 45 years and raised their four children. Upon their retirement, they moved to Fessenden where they lived for twenty years before moving to Heritage House in New Rockford in 2015. Prior to their marriage, Mary Ann taught elementary school in the Heaton and Cathay Public Schools.

Early in life, Mary Ann developed a strong interest and talent for music and began what would become a life-time of blessing others with her piano playing and teaching. She first served as a church pianist and accompanist during her junior high years at the Cathay Baptist Church. She continued to use her talent as a church pianist and/or organist until she reached her mid-eighties. In addition to the Cathay Baptist Church, she was the pianist and/or organist at the Germantown Baptist, Bethel Chapel, Fessenden Baptist, and Fessenden Nazarene Churches. Mary Ann taught several hundred local piano students during her nearly seven decades as a piano teacher. She was an active member of both the North Dakota State and the National Music Teachers Associations.

In addition to her music and education work, Mary Ann was active in numerous women's church and community groups. She was a well-liked children's Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband of almost seventy years, Emery, New Rockford; her sons, Duane (Sandra), Bismarck; Timothy (Monica Elliott), Fort Lauderdale; Joel (Janice), Cooperstown; her daughter, Beverly (Craig) Weber, St. Paul; five grandchildren, Rebecca, Moorhead; Erin (Jered) Weber-Johnson, St. Paul; Kylie (Jon Watters) Denver; Kelsey (Christopher) Swiech, Minot; and David, Cooperstown; and three great-grandchildren, Jude, Simon Henri, and Norah.

A family celebration of life honoring Mary Ann was held at Heritage House Chapel on Thursday, April 12, 2018 and a grave side service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the Broschat family c/o of the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden.