Mary Barten

Mary Ann Barten, age 83, of Greenwald, died peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2013 surrounded by her family at the Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 30 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald with Rev. Omar Guanchez officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Catholic United Financial, St. Ann's Christian Women and the Daughters of Isabella at 6 p.m. Sunday evening.

Mary Ann Spanier was born April 6, 1930 in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Daniel and Margaret (Meyer) Spanier. She was united in marriage to Raymond Barten on October 11, 1948 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. The couple lived in West Union and then in Greenwald for 60 years. Mary Ann was a strong woman of faith. Prayer was a very important part of her life as well as spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, embroidering, dancing, and playing cards.

Mary Ann was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald, Daughters of Isabella Joan of Arc Circle of Melrose, St. Ann's Christian Women, Catholic United Financial founder of St. Andrew's Council, 4-H leader, and a volunteer for the St. Michael's Hospice in Sauk Centre for many years.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Raymond "Ray" Barten of Greenwald; children, Mike (Ann) Barten of Greenwald, Lois (Wilfred) Wesbur of Elrosa, Linda (Jim) Schmiesing of New Munich, Jim (Vicki) Barten of Sauk Centre, Judy (Don) Gaebel of New Munich, Ron (Jane) Barten of Melrose, Carol (Ron) Winter of Melrose, and Mary (Chad) Middendorf of Cold Spring; 44 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; sisters-in-law, Lucille (Elmer) Sinderman of Melrose and Rosie Spanier of Spring Hill.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons; sisters and brothers, Margaret Heinen, Math Spanier, Leo Spanier, Rita Thiegs, Urban Spanier, and Andrew Spanier.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kevin Wesbur, Joel Barten, Eric Schmiesing, Greg Gaebel, Dominic Barten, Dan Boecker, Donavon Middendorf, and Matthew Stanger. Cross bearer will be Karilyn Middendorf and scripture bearer will be Lori Siegle. Mass servers will be Kole Barten, Austin Barten, and Maddysen Boecker. Readers will be Lisa Schmiesing and Tina Stanger. Petitions will be read by Jacki Theilen. Gift bearers will be Brianna Philippi, Natalie Barten, and Mason Miller. Honorary bearers will be the Daughters of Isabella Joan of Arc Circle and the St. Ann's Christian Women.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald and /or the St. Michael's Hospice in Sauk Centre.