Mary Louise Funk

In Loving Memory

Mary Louise Funk, 80, of Oak Grove, died peacefully on December 12, 2022, in her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born on September 19, 1942, to Leonard “Peter” and Louise Hetland in La Crosse, WI. Mary graduated with honors from St. Olaf College with a degree in nursing. During her last two years of college, she served in the U.S. Army Nursing Corps. She married Robert Funk on the 4th of July 1964. Together, they had three children.

Her Labor and Delivery nursing career spanned over 40 years. Starting with Basic Nurses Training at Ft. Sam Houston, she concluded her military service as a 1LT at Madigan General Hospital. Much of her career was spent locally, supporting mothers at Midway, United, and Mercy Hospitals. She specialized in grief and loss, co-authoring the book Mother Care: Physical Care and Beyond. She also helped to create a memorial garden at Mercy Hospital.

Throughout her life, Mary had many passions. She was active in the Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director, and a founding council member at New Life Church. She was an avid Gopher basketball fan and season ticket holder for 50 years. For 25 of these years, she baked cookies and treats for players and coaches. She also enjoyed cultivating her beautiful yard, camping and horseback riding, baking Christmas caramels and cookies, along with reading, shopping, and crocheting. Mary was a good neighbor delivering food and support to friends. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to her three grandchildren and the many she “adopted.”

A Celebration of Life will be at The Refuge Golf Club in Oak Grove at 12:30 on December 28th. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to New Life Church - 18975 Lake George BLVD, Oak Grove, MN 55303.

life story

Celebration of Life!

Please join us at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at:

The Refuge Golf Club

21250 Yellow Pine St NW

Oak Grove, MN 55011

memorial service

Celebration of Life!

December 28, 2022

The Refuge Golf Club 21250 Yellow Pine St NW, Oak Grove, MN 55011, USA

Please join our family in a Celebration of Life. We would like to honor Mary by sharing memories, eating lunch, and raising a glass.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services