Mary Lou was born in Spring Grove, Minn., to Herb and Luella Wiebke on October 3, 1945. She attended Prosper school for seven years, walking about a half mile to school every day. In eithth grade, she rode a bus to Canton High School and graduated in 1963.
She married Leo McKenna on June 5, 1964, in Preston, Minn. They lived in Waterloo, Iowa, until 1969, when they moved to the Wiebke family farm in Prosper, Minn.
She was a member at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel where she served on the Altar Society and the church council. She served as a 4-H leader for many years as their children grew up.
She was also a member of the Prosper Neighbors Club and Homemakers. Mary enjoyed dancing, playing cards and Bingo, going to her grandchildren’s activities, playing games, doing puzzles and occasional trips to the casinos. She enjoyed farming and continued to do the work she loved until her death. The equipment of choice was John Deere.
Mary passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at the age of 78.
She is survived by a son and farming partner, Daniel McKenna (Brenda Ardinger) of Mabel, Minn., two daughters, Jody (Steve) Highum of Peterson, Minn., and Becky (Brent) Newgaard of Spring Grove, Minn.; nine grandchildren: Tessa (Dustin) Welbig, Garret McKenna, Ross McKenna (Trina Grabau) also farming partner, Amber Miller (Steve Goetzinger), Timothy and Hannah Highum, Joshua, Cashton, and McKenna Newgaard; three great-grandchildren: Lane Welbig and Deacon and Berlin Goetzinger; her sister Lois (Ken) Erickson of New Hope, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leo McKenna, her parents Herb and Luella Wiebke, her brother Earl Russet, sister-in-law Marge Russet, and nephew Dennis Russet.
Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m., Sunday, October 15 at St. Olaf Catholic Church, Mabel, Minn. Visitation will be 4-7 pm, Saturday, October 14 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Mabel Public Cemetery. Mengis Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Dianne Headington says
This was a shock to read. I haven’t seen Mary Lou for awhile. Whenever I did she was always so friendly and kind. Always willing to help in anyway she could. God bless her memory! She will be missed. She will once again be united with her husband. Our sympathies to all her family!