Mary Lucille Minchow

Mary Lucille Minchow, age 91, of Benson, died Monday, May 27, 2024, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota. Visitation is 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota, with the rosary being prayed at 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Benson, Minnesota. Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Mary Lucille Minchow was born October 26, 1932, to Ernest and Marie (Boutain) Goulet in Green Valley, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, Minnesota. Her godparents were Alex and Leona Benoit. She made her First Communion at St. Clotilde Catholic Church and was confirmed at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf, Minnesota.

Mary Lu attended elementary school in Green Valley, Minnesota and then grades 6-8 in Clontarf, Minnesota. Her high school years, grades 9-12, were at Benson High School, where she graduated in 1950. Following graduation in 1950, Mary Lu was employed at the First State Bank in Benson.

February 14, 1953, Mary Lu was united in marriage to Donald C. Minchow at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf, by Father Richard G. King. To this union, four children were born. Together, Mary Lu and Don were able to share 52 years of marriage.

For many years, while her children were young, Mary Lu was a stay-at-home mother. She did bookkeeping in her home for Bernie Gallagher at Coast to Coast, Goggin Oil, Haugen and Johnson Implement, and Ken Weber.

Mary Lu was a caregiver to many people. Other than her children, she cared for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, with many fun adventures they all remember on the farm with her and Grandpa Chubby. She cared for her mother, in-laws, and the residents at her later places of employment, such as Homestead North and Homestead South, along with the many children at Safe Base at Benson Public Schools. Mary Lu retired from Homestead North when she was 85 years old, a dedicated worker and compassionate caregiver. Following retirement, she continued to care for her great-great grandchildren.

Don and Mary Lu encouraged their four children in their love of horses by attending all their horse shows and overnight weekend trail rides, where their role was “guardians” of the campground and campfires. They hosted many Shamrock Hest Riding Club horse shows at their farm, the Circle M Ranch, followed by a potluck meal in their yard.

Mary Lu delivered flowers for The Flower Basket. She was active in Mrs. Jaycees, Council of Catholic Women, Swift County Mental Health Association, St. Francis Catholic School, St. Francis Family Groups, and St. Francis Catholic Church. She was a religious education teacher and communion distributor to the shut-ins for many years. Mary Lu delivered Meals on Wheels and was also the coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program at St. Francis Catholic Church. Mary Lu and Don received the Bishop’s Medal for Service on April 2, 1995, an honor she truly cherished.

Among the things she enjoyed the most was just being with family and friends. She hosted many get-togethers, always serving a delicious meal of her baked chicken or roast beef with potatoes, carrots and onions.

Over 30 years of family summer vacations were spent at Green Valley Resort on Pelican Lake. Mom would always be sure everyone was well fed.

Our mother was dedicated to saying the rosary all her life and taught all her family the importance of prayer.

Mary Lu is survived by her children, Don Minchow, Jr., Kathleen (Alan) Jacobson, Lori (Alan) Wrobleski, and Julie (Bruce) Corneliusen; twelve grandchildren: Josh (Jessica) Minchow, Joy (Jack Solomon) Nicholson, Jim (Ashley) Bossert, Nikki (Shawn) Mortenson, Kalica (Shaun) McGeary, Lane Jacobson, Talon Jacobson, Joe (Jessica) Wrobleski, Thomas (Jahanna) Wrobleski, Daniel (Jordan) Wrobleski, David (Danielle) Corneliusen, and Amy (Thomas) Brekke; 18 great-grandchildren: Patrick (Gracie Mulder) Minchow, Isaac Minchow, Thea Minchow, Lindsey Minchow, Abby Nicholson, Brody Solomon, Hunter Solomon, Cash Mortenson, Maci Mortenson, Madilyn (Mitchell Koosmann) Wrobleski, Paige (Tanner Nelson) Wrobleski, Jackson Hanni, Jordan Anderson, Jonathan Gillitzer, Jace Wrobleski, Owen Wrobleski, Nora Wrobleski, and Elijah Corneliusen; two great-great grandchildren: Kiya Melcher and Kinzley Melcher; brother Jerome Goulet; sister-in-law Barb Goulet, many nieces and nephews, friends, other relatives, and the many people who called her “Grandma Flute.” The nickname “Flute” was given to her by her niece Marie Motzko, and later became “Grandma Flute” when her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren began calling her that.

Mary Lu was preceded in death by her husband Don, in 2005; parents Ernest and Marie Goulet; in-laws Felix and Agnes Minchow; brother Tom Goulet; sister Anne Motzko; brother-in-law Richard Motzko, and sister-in-law Helen Goulet; grandson Johnathon Minchow and great-grandson Jacob Gillitzer.