Mary Ellen Thydean, age 86, of Littlefork, MN passed away, surrounded by her loving family, Friday, October 31, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth after a brief illness. Mary, known as “Gramma Mary” to children throughout Littlefork, was born on August 9, 1928 to Clyde and Edna Greene, in Minneapolis. In 1933 her family moved to Bigfork. She married Reynold Thydean on February 8, 1947 and they had seven children: Robert (Jan), Ginny Ziemba (Ken), Leroy, Douglas, Beverly Houglum (Gerry), Todd (Rana), and a baby girl who died at birth.
Mary worked as a Nurse Aide at the Bigfork Hospital and Rest Home until 1968 and then moved the family to Littlefork where she ran the Northwoods Cafe for the next 10 years. She went on to operate Mary’s Day Care and was Camp Cook for several summers at Camp Vermilion.
Mary was a devoted member of the Littlefork Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, and served in the Altar Guild and quilting group. She was also President of WELCA, taught Sunday school, Release Time and Confirmation.
She loved reading both to the children at the Littlefork Big Falls Elementary School, which she had done for the last 11 years, and for her own pleasure. Even after “retiring” from the cafe and her summer camp cooking responsibilities, she continued to cook and bake for church causes and other events and was particularly known for her lefse and caramel rolls. And, she loved picking blueberries.
Mary is survived by her children; three sisters, Kathlyn Root, Priscilla Wiley, and Nancy Bement; one brother, John Greene (Elaine); 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Joneene Lobe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reynold, sister Annabelle, and brothers Howard and Vernon.
Mary worked as a Nurse Aide at the Bigfork Hospital and Rest Home until 1968 and then moved the family to Littlefork where she ran the Northwoods Cafe for the next 10 years. She went on to operate Mary’s Day Care and was Camp Cook for several summers at Camp Vermilion.
Mary was a devoted member of the Littlefork Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, and served in the Altar Guild and quilting group. She was also President of WELCA, taught Sunday school, Release Time and Confirmation.
She loved reading both to the children at the Littlefork Big Falls Elementary School, which she had done for the last 11 years, and for her own pleasure. Even after “retiring” from the cafe and her summer camp cooking responsibilities, she continued to cook and bake for church causes and other events and was particularly known for her lefse and caramel rolls. And, she loved picking blueberries.
Mary is survived by her children; three sisters, Kathlyn Root, Priscilla Wiley, and Nancy Bement; one brother, John Greene (Elaine); 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Joneene Lobe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reynold, sister Annabelle, and brothers Howard and Vernon.
Mary Ellen Thydean, age 86, of Littlefork, MN passed away, surrounded by her loving family, Friday, October 31, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth after a brief illness. Mary, known as “Gramma Mary” to children throughout Littlefork, was born on August 9, 1928 to Clyde and Edna Greene, in Minneapolis. In 1933 her family moved to Bigfork. She married Reynold Thydean on February 8, 1947 and they had seven children: Robert (Jan), Ginny Ziemba (Ken), Leroy, Douglas, Beverly Houglum (Gerry), Todd (Rana), and a baby girl who died at birth.
Mary worked as a Nurse Aide at the Bigfork Hospital and Rest Home until 1968 and then moved the family to Littlefork where she ran the Northwoods Cafe for the next 10 years. She went on to operate Mary’s Day Care and was Camp Cook for several summers at Camp Vermilion.
Mary was a devoted member of the Littlefork Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, and served in the Altar Guild and quilting group. She was also President of WELCA, taught Sunday school, Release Time and Confirmation.
She loved reading both to the children at the Littlefork Big Falls Elementary School, which she had done for the last 11 years, and for her own pleasure. Even after “retiring” from the cafe and her summer camp cooking responsibilities, she continued to cook and bake for church causes and other events and was particularly known for her lefse and caramel rolls. And, she loved picking blueberries.
Mary is survived by her children; three sisters, Kathlyn Root, Priscilla Wiley, and Nancy Bement; one brother, John Greene (Elaine); 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Joneene Lobe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reynold, sister Annabelle, and brothers Howard and Vernon.
Mary worked as a Nurse Aide at the Bigfork Hospital and Rest Home until 1968 and then moved the family to Littlefork where she ran the Northwoods Cafe for the next 10 years. She went on to operate Mary’s Day Care and was Camp Cook for several summers at Camp Vermilion.
Mary was a devoted member of the Littlefork Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, and served in the Altar Guild and quilting group. She was also President of WELCA, taught Sunday school, Release Time and Confirmation.
She loved reading both to the children at the Littlefork Big Falls Elementary School, which she had done for the last 11 years, and for her own pleasure. Even after “retiring” from the cafe and her summer camp cooking responsibilities, she continued to cook and bake for church causes and other events and was particularly known for her lefse and caramel rolls. And, she loved picking blueberries.
Mary is survived by her children; three sisters, Kathlyn Root, Priscilla Wiley, and Nancy Bement; one brother, John Greene (Elaine); 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Joneene Lobe.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reynold, sister Annabelle, and brothers Howard and Vernon.
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