Mariann Lang

Mariann L. Lang passed away on July 21, 2025, at home to be with her Lord and Savior and family members who proceeded her in death. 

Visitation will be held at the Weigel Funeral Home, 309 4th Ave NW, Mandan, ND 58554 on August 10, 2025, at 3:00pm. Services will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1615 N 18th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 at 1:30pm; following the funeral service the internment will be held at the Mandan’s Veteran’s Cemetery at 1825 46th St in Mandan, ND at 3:00pm.

Mariann was born on July 30, 1942, to Herman and Bertha (Kilian) Graf and spent her formative years on the family dairy farm north of Mandan. She attended rural schools in Morton County and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1960. She attended Bismarck State College and graduated in 1962 with an Administrative Secretarial Degree. Her first job was at the Department of Transportation.

On June 8, 1963, Mariann married Donald A. Lang in Mandan. In August 1963, Don was drafted in the U. S. Army and in December 1963 she joined Don at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. On August 29, 1964, their son Michael D. Lang was born and passed away two days later. In 1966, Don finished his active-duty enlistment, and they returned to Mandan.

Mariann was then employed at the ND Department of Insurance, and after Commissioner Nygaard lost his election, Mariann stayed home and their daughter, Paula, was born on May 14, 1969. In 1970, Mariann went to work for Mr. Richard Gallagher at the Gallagher Law Firm while Don recovered from a back injury. On May 14, 1973, Michelle was born, and Mariann was a stay-home mother until Michelle attended kindergarten. While at home she did the books for Mr. Gallagher and when she decided to return to work, she worked for him three days a week. When Michelle was in Junior High, Mariann started working full time for Mr. Gallagher and worked for him until his death in 1999. She then went to work for Missouri West Water System until she retired.

During the time she worked in the ND Department of Insurance, Mariann got involved and joined the ND Democratic-NPL Party. She enjoyed politics and became District Chair for District #34 in Mandan and held that position for 18 years. In her capacity as a District Chair, she also was the Regional Director for the Southwest Region which consisted of 13 Districts. She was a member of the Policy and Executive Committees and served as Treasurer for four years. She was elected as the State Vice-Chairwoman which allowed her to travel to several cities, Puerto Rico, and to attend the Democratic National Committee meetings which met four times a year. She also attended the 1996 Democratic National Convention where President William Clinton was nominated as the Presidential Candidate for his second term and later attended the Inauguration and the Inaugural Ball of President Clinton and Vice President Gore.

Mariann was a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod and attend at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bismarck. She was Treasurer of the Ladies Society, a member of the Outreach Committee and attended Bible Study. Her faith was especially important to her knowing she would be with her Lord and Savior and her loved ones for eternity.

Mariann enjoyed bowling, golf, reading, and playing cards with her family and friends. She enjoyed her trips to Germany, Virginia, Hawaii, and Florida where she spent time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Mariann is survived by her daughters Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Paula Lang-Morris (wife of Major General (Ret) David Morris) and Ms. Michelle Wagner; 3 grandchildren Mrs. Maxxine Matuska (husband Joseph Matuska), Mr. Dalton Gustafson-Morris (wife Ashley Morris), and Mr. Nicolas Wagner; 1 great-grandchild Kira Matuska; sister Darlene Sandvold (deceased husband Jerry Sandvold); brother Larry Graf (wife Lavonne Graf); Mariann was preceded in death by her husband Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Donald Lang, her parents Herman Graf and Bertha Graf nee Kilian, and her infant son Michael D. Lang.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery Foundation at Donate | NDVCF would be much appreciated.