Mary Hjelle

Mary Hjelle, 84, of Barrett died Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Barrett Care Center. Mary Ann was born December 14, 1931 to Leonard and Cora (Thorstad) Hawkinson near Morris, MN. She was baptized into the Christian Faith on February 20, 1932. Mary attended country school in Morris, MN and graduated from Barrett High School in 1949. Following graduation, she worked various jobs including spending a summer working at Yellowstone National Park and at a telephone company in Seattle, WA. On August 28, 1953 Mary married Rodney Hjelle at Bethesda Church in Barrett. To this union two sons were born, Mark in 1954, and Neil in 1956. Mary and the boys joined Rodney in Saudia Arabia in 1955 where they lived until 1970, and then again from 1978 to 1984. Mary always had a soft spot in her heart for Arabia and its people. Mary enjoyed traveling, gathering family history, her Norwegian Heritage, Louis L'Amour books, and pets, including many dogs, cats, a raccoon and a gazelle. She cherished her family and the time they could spend together. Mary volunteered with the American Red Cross and Sister City. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Barrett Study Club, and served on the Barrett school board. Mary is survived by her two sons, Mark (Joyce) of Fergus Falls, and Neil (Patricia) of Boerne, Texas; grandchildren, Erik (fiancée, Jackie Tellers) of West Fargo, Kara of St. Paul, Ross of Boise, ID, Lucas (Melissa) of St. Paul, Elisa of St. Paul, MN; great-grandson, Samuel; sisters-in-law, Gladys Hawkinson of Anchorage, AK and LaVerne Hawkinson of Phoenix, Arizona; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Rodney (2006); brothers, Roy and Robert Hawkinson; sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie & Gornell Hjelle; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Margaret Hjelle; and nephew, Lee Hjelle. Visitation: 5 – 7 PM Friday, at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial Service: 11 AM Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett Clergy: Reverend Don Reisig Interment: Bethesda Cemetery, Barrett Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary's Memorial Folder

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, March 4, 2016

Service
Saturday, March 5, 2016

cemetery
Saturday, March 5, 2016