Mary Drees, 91, of Red Lake Falls, MN died Sunday, April 02, 2006 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, April 8, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM Friday with a 5:30 PM prayer service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Mary Elizabeth (Whalen) Drees was born December 6, 1914 at home on the farm north of Red Lake Falls, MN, the first born and daughter of George and Eva (McAndrea) Whalen.

As a child, Mary learned to work hard, an ethic she instilled in all who met her as she progressed through life. She graduated from St. Hilaire High School during the Depression, finished Teachers Normal Training and began teaching in country schools in Red Lake County. During World War II, she worked in the dining room of a construction camp in the Yukon Territories until she returned home to care for her family while teaching country school again. After the war, Mary married Chris Drees and made their home in the house on the hill she bought for her family in 1941. Mary ran for and was elected to Red Lake County Superintendent of Schools, a position she held for 19 years, starting with 64 country schools and ending with less than a dozen. Her last teaching position was at St. Joseph Grade School. Mary and Chris owned and operated Murphys Caf long past the time most people would have retired and many diners fondly remember Marys Chili and Chris humor.

Mary was a hard worker who lived by her faith and family and believed firmly in education, in hard work and giving to those who had less. Mary always remembered her Irish roots and that her family came from the farm . Mary shouldered responsibility many times, though she surely was tired and carried through with her duties. Her version of relaxation was piling wood and ironing clothes.

Mary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Guild. She served as sexton of St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery for many years, was a Distinguished Alumni at St. Joseph School, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Foresters and Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include daughter, Gemma (Larry Johnson) Drees Johnson of Red Lake Falls, MN; Mary also raised the five Nordby children, Tiffany (Terry) Sauer of Clancy, MT, Jennifer (Frank) Paterson of Shoreview, MN, Laurel Kayser of Missoula, MT, Joel of Missoula, MT and David of Missoula, MT; 2 grandchildren, Grace Johnson and Leland Johnson. Mary was matriarch of her family and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews all considered her their Grandma Mary ; she is also survived by 3 sisters, Leone Anderson of Willmar, MN, Grace Thorson of New London, MN, and Kitty (Ralph) Gagnon of Brooklyn Center, MN.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Thomas, Kieran, Joseph; sisters, Rose and Anne; and Husband, Chris in 1987.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

Special Music: Sherry Knott & Polly Beyer
Trumpet: Jim Schmitz
Flute: Mary Derosier
Cantor: Jan Wood
Special Music: St. Joseph Choir
Casketbearers: Jim Murphy, Ben Murphy, Gary Rose, Tim Chaput, Roger Johanneck, Dick Lambert