Mary Alby, 69, died on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at Valley Elder Care in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will be at Rindal Cemetery, rural Viking, MN. Visitation will be from 5 - 8 PM Friday, October 12, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday. Mary Donna Sather was born on December 29, 1942 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of William Arvid and Gladys Evelyn (Swanson) Sather. Mary was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN. In 1960, she graduated high school in Newfolden, MN. On September 17, 1960, Mary was married to Ronald Alby and to this union six children were born: Shari, Shane, Steve, Jason, Judd, and Jared. Mary also had a significant other Randy Carpenter and to this union one son Matt was born. Mary was a stay at home mom and enjoyed raising her kids. She also provided a home daycare from 1973 to 1983. Once her kids were older, she attended college from 1983 to 1986 where she attained two AA degrees in Biology and Psychology. She worked very hard taking care of her mother who suffered from Alzheimer's disease from 1986 to 1995. In 1995, she became employed at Jim's Steam Magic, until she retired in 2008. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was also an avid Bible reader, loved to dance, watch CNN, and talk politics. Mary is survived by her loving children, Shari (John) Breding, Rawlins, WY, Steve (Maria) Alby, Jason Alby, Judd (DeAnna) Alby, Jared (Krista) Alby, and Matt (Lavon) Carpenter all of Thief River Falls, MN; nineteen grandchildren, Nicole (Cody) Posten, Shana, Michelle (David) Vaughn, Mitch, Cassandra, Samantha, Wyatt, Harley, Brittany, Megan, Ryker, Derek, Kylie, Brenna, Aden, Aliyah, Brittney, Gwen and Axel; and four great grandchildren, Conner, Skye, Rebecca and Diesel; six siblings, William (Karen) Sather Jr., Lakeville, MN, Linda Culp, Hinkley, MN, Gail Sather, Minnetonka, MN, Leanna (Lloyd) Bengston, Newfolden, MN, Kristi (David) Anderson, Raleigh, NC, and Jon Sather, Farmington, MN. She is preceded in death by her son Shane, parents, grandparents, grandson Jon Bryans, great grandchildren Courtney and Cameron, and brother-in-law Dave Culp. SPECIAL MUSIC: Joel and Laura Rude SELECTIONS:, On Eagles Wings, Beyond The Sunset CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Just A Closer Walk With Thee CASKETBEARERS: Wyatt Alby, Derek Alby, Mitch Long, Chris Uelund, Brian Bengston, Brent Trudeau.