Mary Jean Church, age 86, died on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 at Comforts of Home-The Gardens in River Falls. She was born the daughter of Oscar and Lillian Larson on Oct. 28, 1936 in Gilman Township, Wis. Mary grew up in Spring Valley, graduating from Spring Valley High School, class of 1955. She then graduated from beauty school in Minneapolis. She worked as a beautician in Saint Paul where she met her dear friend, Evie March. Mary married Duane Church on May 9, 1960 in Saint Paul. She loved sewing, knitting, and quilting as well as going to garage sales. Mary adored taking care of kids, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For the last 20 years of her career, she loved working as a teacher’s assistant in special education. Mary also worked for Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Vadnais Heights as a Sunday school teacher, and at First Congregational Church in River Falls as a Wednesday school teacher. She was loving, caring, nurturing, and hospitable to all who knew her.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Lillian Larson; grandson, Cory Loveland; brother, Orlan Larson; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Sundberg. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Duane; sons, James (Laura), Steven (Dawn), Garry (Jodi), Michael (fiancé, Kari Johnson), and Joseph (Kristen); 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Anita Sundberg; sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Larson; and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at at First Congregational Church (110 N. Third St.) in River Falls with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Martell Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
