Mary Wander

Mary B. Wander, age 53 died peacefully surrounded by her family Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at her home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota after a seven-year battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 29 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Luke Steiner, OSB officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. followed by Blue Star Mothers prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Mary Bernelda Pallow was born September 11, 1957 in Saint Joseph, Minnesota to William and Ethel (Sauer) Pallow. On June 24, 1978 she married Donald Wander at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. She was employed at Stearns County DHIA Lab in Sauk Centre for over 30 years. She enjoyed camping, bowling, flower gardening, watching and feeding birds, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Mary was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, the church choir, and served as a lector. Mary was also a member of the Sauk Centre chapter of the Blue Star Mothers.

Mary is survived by her husband, Don Wander of Sauk Centre; children, Michelle (Darin) Harris of Plymouth, Melanie (Tiama Phipps) Wander of Fridley, Andrea (Kelly) Kerfeld of Sauk Centre, Adam Wander of St. Cloud, and Weston Wander of Elrosa; seven grandchildren, Greta, Ellen, and Ava Kerfeld, Malik, Ezra, and Stori Harris, and Anika Phipps; father, William "Bill" (Jeri) Pallow of Sauk Centre; brothers and sisters, Ron (Jan) Pallow of Sauk Centre, Ruth Pallow of Roseville, Bob (Diane) Pallow of Sauk Centre, Mark Pallow of Sandstone, Marleen Williams of Andover, Julie Pallow of Fridley, June (John) Messer of Osakis, and Jayne (Randy) Buerman of Richmond.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Pallow on November 18, 1989.

Serving as casket bearers will be Craig Messer, Ryan Pallow, Ryan Jennissen, Chad Buerman, Chad Peterson, and Pat Jennissen. Cross bearer will be Shannon Wander, scripture bearer will be Greta Kerfeld, gift bearers will be Vic and Bernelda "Snooks" Schuster, and lector will be Moni Barten.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Family School in Sauk Centre.