Mary Ruth Kinder

Mary was born in Hamburg, North Dakota to Richard and Myrtle Aanderud. The family moved to Everett, Washington in 1942, where Mary attended school, graduating from Everett High in 1949. She has 3 sisters, Lois White, Dee Shutes and Darlene Aanderud, her brother Mayo Aanderud (died in 1980).

She married Arnie Christenson (deceased), they had 3 beautiful children together, Gary, Larry and Joni (Joni passed away in 2000). She was married to Dale Heckendorf and they were blessed to have 1 son Daniel. He married Selina and they have 2 daughters Ariana and Adalynn. Gary has 1 daughter Megan, husband Ben, Daughter Zooey Mae and son Deklan. Larry has 2 daughters Libby and Claire.

Son in Law Dale Heckendorf, married Kathy, and he adopted Dacia, Kaila and Nathan. Dacia is married to Cody House and they have 2 children, Finley Ruth and Micah.

Mary met Jim Kinder and they were blessed to be married 50 years (he passed away in 2019). He was a wonderful step-father to the kids. Mary worked for The Herald Newspaper for over 27 years.

Jim and Mary served faithfully in their church homes, attending Smokey Point Church for 37 years. She is currently attending Stanwood Foursquare Church.

She spent her later years living in Brookdale Senior living in Stanwood.

Mary has many (adopted) daughters including Sami Kaur, Kathy Heckendorf, Bennie Hunt, Linda Dippman, Julie Berggren, Dottie Gorsuch, and so many friends and neighbors.

The love and joy given her by her beautiful children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews was such a comfort to her. She loved gardening, baking and cooking, making her special homemade strawberry jam each year and also her Almond Roca for the holidays.

Mary passed away the morning of January 17th, 2024. She will joining her loved ones in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

A closed-casket visitation will be held at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home on January 23rd, 2024 at 11 AM, with her funeral to follow at Noon, and graveside service to be held at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park at 2PM.

Donations in memory of Mary can be made to Seattle Children’s Hospital or Stanwood Foursquare Church.