| Mary Stark was born on October 10, 1890 to Dr. George A. Stark and Ann Jane Knox. She was one of five children including brothers Carlisle (b. November 1883), Walter (b. November 1883), George (b. March 1885) and youngest brother Dawson (b. August 1900) in addition to younger sister Elsie (b. 1894).
Her parents moved from Wisconsin to Morton County in 1882 and built the first house in the City of Glen Ullin. They subsequently homesteaded their own farm south of town, and where Mary was born, but moved to Mandan in 1900 where Dr. Stark took over the practice of Dr. Ried, who passed away unexpectedly. Mrs. Stark was grateful for the improved educational opportunities in the city. |
Mary attended Mandan Grade School and graduated from Mandan High School in 1908. She attended Valley City Normal School (now Valley City State University) and was awarded a Standard Certificate of Teaching in 1909.
She began her teaching career in September 1909 in Morton County but transfered to Mandan's Custer School in 1911 to teach there.
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| MHS Class of 1908 Mary Stark L-Back Row |
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| The Syndicate School in 1922 |
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She began teaching at Syndicate School in 1919 and continued until her death. She had a total of 51 years of teaching during her career. Some of the accomplishments which took place while Mary Stark was teacher and principal were establishment of the first hot lunch program for underprivileged children of Mandan during the depression of the 1930s. She also saw that children in her room were properly dressed with warm clothing during the winter.
She was recognized for her dedication to teaching by being named Outstanding Teacher in North Dakota during the 1920s. She received an all expense paid trip to Washington DC. She was also honored in Mandan for rendering her services to the community by setting aside Mary Stark Day.
She died on April 25, 1960 while enroute to school.
The Mandan School District dedicated the grade school, now named after her and completed in 1970, in recognition of her years of service and dedication to the school children. |
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