Mary Ellen Kangas

Our precious mother, Mary Ellen Kangas, age 97 of McGregor passed away on April 22, 2024  at Golden Horizons Health Care Center in Aitkin, MN surrounded by family.  She was born September 8, 1926 to the late John and Dorothy Frerich in Rice, MN.  She grew up on a small farm on Little Rock Lake and left home at age 16 to work as a household servant for the Michaelson family and also for her brother Art.  She moved to St. Cloud when she turned 18 to waitress at the Pan Town Inn. Around age 20 she traveled to St. Paul where she worked in the lab at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  Mary Ellen Frerich met Benjamin “Ben” Solomon Kangas at the American Dance Hall which was located across the street from the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul. Six months later, Ben proposed and they were united in marriage on April 3, 1948 in Foreston, MN.   In the fall of 1951, they purchased the present Rice River farm and farmed there for the remainder of their farming days.  Her life was centered around the farm, church and her 10 children’s 4H activities and school. To use mom’s words “While the rest of the week was laden with work, the family devoted their Sundays to church and visiting neighbors”.   She was a lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church and found the way to get all her children to church, catechism, first communion and confirmation.  She was also very devoted to helping all children with their many 4-H projects.  Our Mom had an amazing talent to understand each of her children as individuals and interacted with each in ways that recognized that each of us was different. She shared different things with us and made use of our abilities.  All of us grew up with our own personalities, but we all worked hard and made the most of our individual abilities.  We have often wondered how we grew up in the same house and turned out so different, other than our stubbornness. She was most proud of all 10 children in that all became responsible citizens and did not become dependent on others.

Mom’s life changed with Ben’s passing in 1997. She tried to follow the advice she gave to the next generation – “Value each day, live, love, laugh, pray and play”.  She kept busy for the last 30 years making quilts for all of her grand & great grandchildren and traveling.  Mom will be sadly missed by her family of 93 offspring and spouses (current count!)  She will be remembered as a hard-working, kind, caring and a loving person who made a difference in many lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ben, her parents, brothers & sisters, and 2 granddaughters, Sarah and Jessica.  Mary Ellen is survived by 4 sons and 6 daughters: Mike(Diane), Dorothy(Claude), Margie(Ken), Bill(Pauline), Alice(Darrell), Nancy(Frank), Bob(Cheryl), Betty(Rusty), Helen(Keith), and Albert(Laura); 25 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 2 great great-granddaughters; 1 sister-in-law Martha; and many other special relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be 11am – Friday, April 26, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor.  Father Keith Bertram will officiate.  Visitation will be 5 to 7pm – Thursday with Prayers and Rosary Service at 7pm at Holy Family Catholic Church, McGregor.  The visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be 11am - Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Little Falls.  Arrangements are with McGregor Funeral Home & Cremation Services in McGregor. Go to www.srtfuneral.com to leave a message of condolence.  Memorials are preferred to Holy Family Catholic Church or Rice River Town Hall & Senior Center.

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