Mary McDonald

Mary Ann McDonald, age 79 of Sauk Centre died peacefully on October 15, 2016 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota with her family at her side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20th at Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Father Greg Paffel presiding. Interment will take place in Long Bridge Lutheran Cemetery in Little Sauk Township, Todd County, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held 4 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 19th at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at the funeral prior to the service.

Mary Ann Engel was born October 10, 1937, the daughter of Carl and Anna Catherine (Ahrens) Engel in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota. While in high school, Mary Ann was recognized as outstanding swimmer holding the fastest breast stroke record for nearly 30 years. Mary Ann graduated from Humbolt High School in the class of 1955. Mary Ann played on the Dairy Queen Jets - a women's softball team in St. Paul. On April 21, 1956, she was united in marriage to Dale DeWayne McDonald in Saint Paul, Minnesota. To this marriage five children were born. Besides being a good mother, she worked at Armour Processing Plant, was a bookkeeper for several business; worked at Jennie-O processing plant. She was proud to say that she and her husband, Dale owned and operated the Ward Springs Store from 1975 to 1992. At the store, she and Dale shared the responsibility of stocking groceries, pumping gas, cooking, and serving food and beer. She made lots of friends and always worked hard. For fun, Mary Ann enjoyed playing cards, fishing, playing Bingo and calling Bingo for residents at the nursing home, going to the Casino, sewing quilts, cooking and baking. She loved to travel and always enjoyed visiting with relatives and friends. Reading books, especially westerns and putting puzzles together were several favorite pastimes.

Mary Ann was a member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Christian Women, and the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary. She also served as the treasurer for Birchdale Township for a number of years.

Survivors include: her husband of 60 years, Dale of Sauk Centre; children, Dorothy (Ernie) Bauer of Sauk Centre, Susan (Jeff) Tschida of Sauk Centre, Dan (Diane Meier) McDonald of Mayer, and Cathy (Michael) Lensing of Ward Springs; daughter-in-law, JoAnne McDonald of Cottage Grove; 18 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Arlene (Charles) Kirk of St. Paul, Tom (Patty) Engel of Inver Grove Heights, Wayne Engel of Sauk Centre, Ron (Mary) Engel of South Saint Paul, and Toni Martinson of Newport; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her son, Timothy McDonald in 2011; grandson, Kevin McDonald; parents, Carl and Anna C. "Katie" Engel; and brothers and sisters, Robert Ahrens, Evelyn Engel, Leona Engel, twins, Jerry Engel and Janet Guerra, and Carol Grzeskowiak.

Serving as casket bearers will be her grandsons, Ryan "Murf" Bauer, Jake Bauer, Tom McDonald, Dale McDonald, Joe Tschida, Kenny Tschida, Matt McDonald, Nathan McDonald, Jason McDonald, Eric Lieser and Michael Lieser. Samantha McDonald will serve as Cross Bearer and Rachel Yoder will be the Scripture Bearer. The scripture readings will be presented by Nathan McDonald and Kenny Tschida. The petitions will be prayed by Jake Bauer. Judy Beletti, Jaci Van Schoonhoven, and Linda Tschida will present the communion gifts.