1918
Mary
2008
Mary Hemmelgarn
July 4, 1918 — March 18, 2008
Mary K. Hemmelgarn, age 89, of Perham, MN, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the Perham Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, March 25, at 11:00 am in the United Methodist Church, Perham, with Pastor Fair Caldwell-Meeks officiating. Burial will take place in the MN State Veteran's Cemetery, Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be Monday, March 24 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, at the church and also one hour prior to services at the church.
Mary was born July 4, 1918, at home near Valentine, NE, the daughter of Arthur and Katie (Pratt) Stromberg. In 1935, at age 17, Mary moved with her family to a farm near Perham, MN. Following high school graduation in 1937, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND, and was employed by Northwestern Bell. In 1940 she began her fifteen year career with Selective Service working in Perham, Fergus Falls, Park Rapids, and Detroit Lakes.
On October 30, 1941, Mary was united in marriage to William "Bill" Hemmelgarn. Following Bill's US Navy commitment during WWII, they made their home in Perham. Daughter, Patricia Sue, was born in 1944 and son, Richard Arthur, in 1947.
Throughout her life Mary was a self-described professional volunteer. She was a member of the original Women's Hospital Auxiliary. She participated in the American Red Cross Good Neighbor Family Services Program and assisted with the initiation of the Red Cross Blood Bank in the Perham area.
Mary was a member of the Methodist Church and her work with the United Methodist Women was most meaningful to her. In addition, she participated in many activities of St. Henry's Christian Mothers.
As a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Burlbach Post, Mary devoted more than fifty years toward her patriotic duties. Mary was best known for her volunteer work of over forty years at the Perham Memorial Home where she endeared herself to both residents and staff.
In recognition of her accomplishments she received several awards. In 1959 she was made an Honorary Recruiter by the US Army Recruiting Service. She was honored by Gov. Rudy Perpich in 1989 for her work in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Mary was overwhelmed in 1999 when she was named Minnesota Volunteer of the Year by the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance. That same year she was presented to the Minnesota House of Representatives and received a standing ovation for her volunteer work. She was named Perham Lions Citizen of the Year and was a member of the Perham Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Mary will be fondly remembered for many things. Prominent among them is her devotion to her family and community, her dry sense of humor, and her wonderful lemon pies and chocolate chip cookies.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Patricia (James) Holper, Perham, MN; and son, Richard (Pamela) Hemmelgarn, Cary, NC; granddaughter, Mary Hemmelgarn, Ormond Beach, FL; special family friends, Lynn (Jay) Montoya, Long Beach, CA; and Jennifer Howe and Darbi Howe, Costa Mesa, CA. She is also survived by the following family members: three brothers, John (Eleanor) Stromberg, Perham, MN; James (Judie) Stromberg, Denver, CO; and Roy (Kay) Stromberg, West Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Julia Stromberg, Bismarck, ND; and brother-in-law, George Happel, Frazee, MN.
Preceding Mary in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Agnes Happel, and brother, Jack Stromberg.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Perham, the Perham Hospital District Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
Mary was born July 4, 1918, at home near Valentine, NE, the daughter of Arthur and Katie (Pratt) Stromberg. In 1935, at age 17, Mary moved with her family to a farm near Perham, MN. Following high school graduation in 1937, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND, and was employed by Northwestern Bell. In 1940 she began her fifteen year career with Selective Service working in Perham, Fergus Falls, Park Rapids, and Detroit Lakes.
On October 30, 1941, Mary was united in marriage to William "Bill" Hemmelgarn. Following Bill's US Navy commitment during WWII, they made their home in Perham. Daughter, Patricia Sue, was born in 1944 and son, Richard Arthur, in 1947.
Throughout her life Mary was a self-described professional volunteer. She was a member of the original Women's Hospital Auxiliary. She participated in the American Red Cross Good Neighbor Family Services Program and assisted with the initiation of the Red Cross Blood Bank in the Perham area.
Mary was a member of the Methodist Church and her work with the United Methodist Women was most meaningful to her. In addition, she participated in many activities of St. Henry's Christian Mothers.
As a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Burlbach Post, Mary devoted more than fifty years toward her patriotic duties. Mary was best known for her volunteer work of over forty years at the Perham Memorial Home where she endeared herself to both residents and staff.
In recognition of her accomplishments she received several awards. In 1959 she was made an Honorary Recruiter by the US Army Recruiting Service. She was honored by Gov. Rudy Perpich in 1989 for her work in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Mary was overwhelmed in 1999 when she was named Minnesota Volunteer of the Year by the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance. That same year she was presented to the Minnesota House of Representatives and received a standing ovation for her volunteer work. She was named Perham Lions Citizen of the Year and was a member of the Perham Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Mary will be fondly remembered for many things. Prominent among them is her devotion to her family and community, her dry sense of humor, and her wonderful lemon pies and chocolate chip cookies.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Patricia (James) Holper, Perham, MN; and son, Richard (Pamela) Hemmelgarn, Cary, NC; granddaughter, Mary Hemmelgarn, Ormond Beach, FL; special family friends, Lynn (Jay) Montoya, Long Beach, CA; and Jennifer Howe and Darbi Howe, Costa Mesa, CA. She is also survived by the following family members: three brothers, John (Eleanor) Stromberg, Perham, MN; James (Judie) Stromberg, Denver, CO; and Roy (Kay) Stromberg, West Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Julia Stromberg, Bismarck, ND; and brother-in-law, George Happel, Frazee, MN.
Preceding Mary in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Agnes Happel, and brother, Jack Stromberg.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Perham, the Perham Hospital District Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
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