Obituary of Mary F. Reiter

Reiter, Mary Frances (Storch), Age 98, Richfield, died June 16, 2015 in Minneapolis. Mary was the life of the party who regularly entertained friends and relatives, nurtured friendships and showed kindness to all. She will be missed by sons, John (Judy), Richard (Gwen); daughters, Mary Jo Hyland (Gary), Lucy Kender (Dennis); sister, Joanne Gerrish (Harry); grandchildren, Cathy Grubb (Jeff), Rick Reiter, Lisa Radwan, Jill Schaefer, Jennifer Hatlestad (Kevin), Jessica McWilliams (Peter); great-grandchildren, Eric (Lindsay Lanier) and Ellie Grubb, Emma and Abby Schaefer, Quinn and Cade Hatlestad, Joseph Radwan, Ryan, Molly, Claire and Leah McWilliams; many other relatives and friends including caregiver Dawn Rosenow. She is preceded in death by her husband John. She was born in Minneapolis on Dec. 7, 1916, the first child of Richard and Grace Storch. During her childhood, her family lived in both Minneapolis and Spring Park/Navarre. She loved school, learning and reading. She attended high school at the Academy of Holy Angels, graduating in 1933 at age 16; then attended St. Catherine’s College and the U of M. While in high school, she met her future husband John at a school dance. They married Aug. 21, 1936 and after three years moved to Richfield where they lived the rest of their lives. She was active in local and state DFL party politics and campaigns for many years as well as the League of Women Voters. She was a homemaker who raised four children born in three different decades. After her youngest child left home, Mary, at age 60, returned to college to earn her A.A. degree at Normandale Community College. She and John loved to travel and together saw all 50 states, all the Canadian provinces and many a resort “up north.” They also spent many winters in Ft. Myers Beach, FL, making many new friends there and escaping the harsh Minnesota winters. During her final chapter of life, she enjoyed making even more new friends when she lived in the Oaks Apartments located in the “shadow” of her beloved Holy Angels. Mary’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of the Resurrection, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015, 10:30 a.m., St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave. So., Richfield. Visitation one hour prior to service at the church. Cremation Society of Minnesota, 612-825-2435, http://cremationsocietyofmn.com